.ISTORY  OF  RoCli 


'^mm^^ 


LIBRARY  OF  THE  THEOLOGICAL  SEMINARY 

PRINCETON.  N.  J.                                                            T 

Re 

PRESENTED  BY 

V.   G.B.F.   Hallock,    Stated  Cle 
'  K  (=--.€?  r-vi  e. 
sec  #11,114 

[Parsons,  Levi],  1828  or  29-1901, 
History  of  Rochester  presbytery  from  the 
earliest  settlement  of  the  counlr>', 

rk 

i^^T^. 


-Mi^ 


^wKM' 


§M 


,. ti^ 


.;  /  ( 


Htf"^:' 


'4t».fP^# 


V^ 


.-f^jS 


.^^u..^^ 


.rv 


i^-^-ih-n — yy^  o 


i»^ 

'2  '"^-^ 

^1 

>?fe'' 

^ 

n^ 

m 

IhB^^^BR'',^^^    ^^^^^^^^^^H 

REV.  JAMES   B.   SHAW,  D.  D. 


r-r  PP.l 


% 


HISTORY 


Rochester*- Presbytery 

FROM   THE 

EARLIEST   SETTLEMENT    OF   THE 
COUNTRY, 

EMBRACING  ORIGINAL  RECORDS 

OF 

ONTARIO    ASSOCIATION,   AND    THE  PRESBYTERIES    OF 

ONTARIO,  ROCHESTER  {FORMER),   GENESEE 

RIVER,  AND  ROCHESTER    CITY, 

to  which  are  appended 

Biographical    Sketches    of    Deceased    Ministers 
AND  Brief  Histories  of  Individual  Churches. 


published  by  presbytery. 


DEMOCRAT-CHRONICLE    PRESS,    ROCHESTER,    N.  Y, 


ERRATA. 


Page  40,  line  9:   Reuben  Nason  was  received  December  33, 1834. 

Page  345,  line  6:  for  "  George  S.  Sill,"  read  George  G.  Sill 

Page  246,  line  4:  for  "Amelia,"  read  Aurelia 

Page  247,  line  31:  for  "Morris',"  read  Moore's;  line  35:  for 
"Mann,"  read  Brown 

Page  350,  line  30:  for  "  Mo  watt,"  read  Morvatt;  line  34:  for 
"  George  M.  Mackie,"  read  George  W.  Mackie. 

Page  251,  line  37:  for  "  George  S.  Sill,"  read  George  G.  Sill. 

Page  355,  line  11:  for  "Manly  S.  Woodbury,"  read  Manly  G. 
Woodbury  ;  line  39:  for  "  W.  G.  Squires,"  read  tJrr  G.  Squires 

Page  357,  line  8:  for  "Priden,"  read  Biden  ;  line  16:  for  "John 
Still,  Louisa  Still,"  read  John  Stitt,  Louisa  Stitt. 

Page  364,  line  7:  for  "T.  Coit,"  read  John  T.  Coit ;  last  line  ; 
for  "  Charles  P.  Smith,"  read  Charles  F.  Smith. 


History  of  Rochester  Presbytery. 


Compiled   by  Rev.  Levi  Parsons,  D.  D. 


-A  S  the  present  Presbytery  of  Eocliester  at  the  time  of 
\,  tlie  reconstruction  of  the  Presbyteries  in  18Y0,  was 
formed,  with  a  few  exceptions,  by  the  union  of  the  former 
Presljyteries  of  Ontario,  Rocliester  and  Rochester  City, 
together  with  about  half  of  the  ministers  and  churches 
which  had  belonged  to  the  Presbytery  of  Genesee  Piver, 
its  history  will  properly  be  introduced  by  sketches  of  the 
aforesaid  bodies,  together  with  certain  facts  pertaining  to 
the  early  religious  history  of  Western  JS'ew  York. 


At  the  close  of  the  Revolutionary  War  the  settlement  of 
Western  New  York  was  retarded  by  conflicting  land  claims 
of  the  states  of  Connecticut  and  Massachusetts,  superadded 
to  the  original  title  to  the  soil  by  the  Indians,  which 
obstacles  were  not  removed  until  about  the  year  1790.  The 
county  of  Ontario  was  formed  in  1789,  at  which  time  it 
included  all  that  part  of  the  state  which  was  west  of  Seneca 
Lake.  According  to  the  United  States  census  of  1790  the 
number  of  inhabitants  in  this  county  was  1,081  and  the 
number  of  families  205,  which  numbers  very  rapidly  in- 
creased during  the  subsequent  decade  and  consisted  mostly 
of  people  from  New  England,  with  no  inconsiderable  num- 
bers from  New  Jersey,  Pennsylvania  and  Europe. 


4  HISTORY    OF    ROCHESTER   PRESBYTERY. 

Unlike  their  Puritan  ancestors  who  had  sought  the  shores 
of  New  England  for  the  sake  of  religious  liberty,  these 
pioneers  in  the  wilderness  were  influenced  mainly  by 
motives  of  gain,  whicli  resulted  in  increased  negligence  as 
to  their  former  religious  habits,  and  being  thinly  scattered 
over  a  vast  area,  the  gathering  of  churches  was,  for  a 
number  of  years,  a  very  discouraging  work  for  the  few 
who  loved  the  house  of  prayer  and  the  fellowship  of  the 
gospel.  Added  to  this  prevailing  worldliness,  was  the  fact 
that  not  a  few  had  imbibed  the  French  infidelity  which  was 
so  prevalent  throughout  the  country  during  the  closing 
years  of  the  last  century. 

We  can  find  no  trace  of  any  permanent  church  organiza- 
tion prior  to  1795.  There  is  evidence,  however,  that 
before  this  date  the  General  Assembly  had  sent  two  or 
three  missionaries  who,  as  explorers,  had  visited  the  feeble 
settlements  and  preached  from  place  to  place,  and  that 
similar  work  had  been  done  by  missionaries  from  the 
Congregational  churches  of  New  England.  There  is  also 
evidence  that  after  this  date,  if  not  before,  settled  pastors 
in  New  England  engaged  in  brief  terms  of  itinerant  mis- 
sionary service  upon  this  field. 

The  first  Congregational  minister  who  came  as  a  perma- 
nent resident  was  Rev.  Zadoc  Hunn,  in  the  year  1795.  He 
removed  from  Berkshire  county,  Mass.,  and  located  upon 
a  farm  in  Canandaigua.  Though  he  had  been  a  pastor  in 
New  England  he  never  took  a  pastoral  charge  here,  but  was 
very  useful  among  the  feeble  churches  up  to  the  time  of 
his  death,  May  12th,  1801. 

The  Rev.  Daniel  Thatcher,  a  Presbyterian  missionary 
sent  out  by  the  General  Assembly,  organized  in  1795  the 
church  at  Lima  and  the  First  Church  of  Geneseo,  now 
located  at  Lakeville,  which  were  the  first  church  organiza- 
tions in  this  section. 

In  1796  the  Congregational  churches  of  East  Bloomfield 


HISTORY    OF    R(X:!H ESTER   PRESBYTERY.  5 

and  South  Bristol  were  organized,  and,  in  1799  those  of 
West  Bloomiield,  North  Bristol  and  Victor.     - 

The  first  installation  was  that  of  Rev.  John  Rolph  over 
the  church  of  South  Bristol  by  a  council  in  January,  1797. 
The  ministers  composing  the  council  were  Rev.  Zadoc 
Hunn,  Rev.  Eliphalet  Steele  of  Paris,  Oneida  county,  and 
Rev,  Asahel  S,  Norton,  of  Clinton,  Oneida  county,  and  it 
is  estimated  that  the  journey  of  Dr.  Norton  and  Mr.  Steele 
must  have  required  from  three  to  four  days  in  coming  and 
the  same  length  of  time  in  returning,  these  being  the 
nearest  ministers  available  for  the  council. 

In  the  year  1799  the  churches  were  so  greatly  blessed 
that  long  afterward  it  was  referred  to  as  the  year  of  the 
"  Great  Revival."  Prominent  among  the  laborers  in  pro- 
moting the  same  were  Rev.  Jedidiah  Bushnell  and  Rev. 
Seth  Williston,  of  the  Missionary  Society  of  Connecticut, 
and  Rev.  David  Barclay  and  Rev.  Robert  Logan,  mission- 
aries of  the  General  Assembly. 

These  references  to  Congregational  ministers  and  churches 
in  the  early  religious  history  of  this  section  have  a  legiti- 
mate place  in  the  history  of  this  Presbytery  because  some 
of  our  strongest  Presbyterian  churches  were  originally 
Congregational. 

For  a  similar  reason  a  brief  sketch  of  the  Ontario 
Association  will  not  be  out  of  place,  because  of  its  ultimate 
union  as  will  subsequently  be  seen  with  the  Presbytery  of 
Geneva  when  that  Presbytery  covered  this  ground, 

ONTARIO    ASSOCIATION. 

The  Ontario   Association   was  the  first  organization  of 
ministers  and  churches  in  Western  New  York,  having  been 
\r    formed  at  Bristol,  N.  Y.,  March  18, 1800,  as  follows  : 

"  We,  ministers  of  the  gospel,  viz. — Zadoc  Hunn,  Joseph 


B  HISTORY    OF    ROCHESTER    PRESBYTERY. 

Grover,  John  Rolpli,  Reuben  Pannerlee  and  Timotliy  Field 
— being  met,  think  proper  to  form  ourselves  into  a  voluntary 
society  for  promoting  the  interest  of  religion,  and  as  we  con- 
sider ourselves  Congregationalists  we  agree  to  call  ourselves 
and  be  known  by  the  name  of  the  First  Association  of 
j_  Ontario  County. 

"  Being  met  together  for  the  purpose  of  forming  into  an 
association  and  having  united  in  solemn  prayer  to  God  for 
wisdom,  protection  and  assistance,  we  think  fit  in  order  to 
promote  the  interest  of  religion  to  come  into  the  following 
friendly  agreements,  viz.: 

"  1.  The  association  shall  meet  ordinarily  twice  in  a  year, 
and  oftener  if  it  appear  needful,  to  consult  and  agree  upon 
the  most  expedient  measures  to  promote  religion  and  give 
the  churches  opportunity  to  apply  to  us  for  advice  and 
assistance,  which  it  is  proper  for  an  association  to  afford 
them. 

"  2.  We  agree  to  invite  each  church  to  send  a  delegate  to 
attend  this  association,  and  join  with  them  in  promoting  the 
Redeemer's  kingdom. 

"  3.  As  we  design  to  proceed  regularly  in  our  meetings, 
and  endeavor  to  promote  religion,  we  agree  that  a  moderator 
shall  be  chosen  at  each  stated  meeting  and  a  clerk  to  minute 
the  most  material  transactions,  and  that  we  will  begin  and 
conclude  with  prayer. 

"  4.  We  agree  that  this  association  shall  never  assume  or 
claim  any  authority  over  the  churches,  or  authoritatively 
intermeddle  with  the  affairs  of  the  churches  any  farther 
than  they  shall  apply  to  us  and  request  our  advice,  or  other 
assistance. 

"  5.  We  agree  that  this  association  shall  make  no  rules 
that  shall  be  authoritative,  and  all  agreements  shall  be 
alterable  as  circumstances  shall  require. 

"6.  We  agree  that  the  semi-annual  meetings  of  the 
association  shall  be  the  second  Tuesday  in  June,  and  the 


HISTORY    OF-   ROCHESTER    PRESBYTERY.  7 

second  Tuesday  in  January,  and  in  rotation  in  the  churches, 
and  the  association  will  meet  the  second  Tuesday  in  June 
next  at  Mr.  Kolph's,  number  eight. 

"  The  association  agree  to  recommend  to  the  churches  in 
Ontario  County  the  second  Thursday  in  April,  to  be 
observed  as  a  day  of  public  fasting  and  prayer,  and  that 
divine  service  to  Almighty  God  be  performed  on  that  day. 
Concluded  with  prayer." 

These  are  the  records  of  the  first  meeting  as  found  in  the 
original  book  of  the  association,  which  has  long  been  pre- 
served in  the  archives  of  this  Presbjtery. 

In  addition  to  the  five  who  constituted  the  association  the 
Eev.  Eleazar  Fairbanks,  Rev.  James  H.  Hotchkin  and  Rev. 
Ahijah  Warren  were  received  prior  to  1804,  Subsequent 
additions  were  as  follows :  Rev.  Solomon  Allen,  Rev. 
Aaron  C.  Collins  and  Rev.  Ezekiel  J.  Chapman,  Jan.  15, 
1806 ;  Rev.  John  Niles,  by  ordination,  June  11, 1806  ;  Rev. 
Howell  R.  Powell,  June  10,  1807;  Rev.  Simeon  R.  Jones, 
June  14,  1810  ;  Rev.  Silas  Hubbard,  by  ordination,  Oct.  10, 
1811 ;  Rev.  Allen  Hollister,  May  27,  1812. 

The  churches  connected  with  the  association  jjrior  to 
1804  were  South  Bristol,  Victor,  West  Bloomfield,  North 
Bristol,  Canandaigua,  East  Bloomfield,  Lima,  Rushville, 
Richmond  and  Naples. 

Those  subsequently  received  were  as  follows  :  Pittsford 
and  Prattsburgh,  June  10,  1806;  Livonia,  Jan.  13,  1807; 
Palmyra,  June  14,  1807 ;  Phelps,  Williamson  and  Stone- 
town,  June  13,  1809;  Elmira,  June  11,  1810;  Geneseo  2d, 
Oct.  11,  1811 ;  Bergen  and  Riga,  May  27,  1812.  Whole 
number  of  ministers,  16-     Whole  number  of  churches,  21. 

The  Rev.  James  H.  Hotchkin,  of  Prattsburgh,  whose 
name  appears  on  the  aforesaid  roll,  was  subsequently  the 
author  of  The  History  of  the  Presbyterian  Chtirch  in 
Western  New  York,  to  which  we  are  indebted  for  many 
important  facts. 


8  HISTORY    OF    ROCHESTER    PRESBYTERY. 

From  the  records  it  appears  that  on  the  21st  of  April, 
1813,  the  association  inquired  of  the  Presbytery  of  Geneva, 
both  bodies  at  that  time  being  in  session  at  Honeoye,  N".  Y., 
upon  what  terms  they  could  be  received  into  said  Presbytery  ; 
and  the  following  answer  was  returned :  »'  The  members 
of  Presbytery  are  of  the  opinion  that  our  union  with  the 
ministers  and  churches  of  the  Ontario  Association  is  highly 
important,  as  it  will  combine  their  influence  in  promoting 
the  great  interests  of  the  Redeemer's  kingdom,  and  they 
cordially  invite  the  said  ministers  and  churches  to  unite 
with  the  Presbytery  by  adopting  the  Confession  of  Faith 
and  Form  of  Government  of  the  Presbyterian  Church. 
But  should  any  of  the  said  churches  find  it  most  for 
edification  to  continue  the  practice  of  receiving  and  reject- 
ing members  by  a  vote  of  the  brethren  of  the  church 
genei-ally,  instead  of  a  session  of  ruling  elders,  the  Presby- 
tery do  not  consider  that  any  bar  to  the  contemplated 
union,  and  are  willing  they  should  continue  that  practice  as 
long  as  they  shall  deem  it  expedient." 

As  a  result  of  this  answer  by  the  Presbytery,  the  associa- 
tion at  an  adjourned  meeting  held  at  Pultney,  May  25, 
1813,  adopted  the  following  preamble  and  resolutions 
which  had  been  proposed  by  Mr.  Hotchkin  : 

"  Whereas,  It  appears,  from  the  Holy  Scriptures,  of 
immense  importance  that  all  those  who  love  our  Lord 
Jesus  Christ  should  be  united  in  the  strictest  bonds  of 
Christian  fellowship,  that  tliey  may  with  one  heart  and 
voice  unite  in  opposing  error,  and  in  disseminating  the 
knowledge  of  divine  truth ;  and,  whereas,  in  the  view  of 
this  association  there  is  no  reason  why  those  denominations 
of  professing  Christians  usually  called  Presbyterian  and 
Congregationalist  should  not  receive  each  other  as  brethren 
and  be  united  as  one  body  in  the  spiritual  sense ;  and, 
whereas,  there  exists  in  this  country  a  Presbytery  connected 
with  the  General  Assembly  of  the  Presbyterian  Church, 
therefore, 

"  Resolved,  That  it  is  very  desirable  that  this  association 
become  united  with  the  Presbytery  of  Geneva. 


IITSTORY    OF   ROOIIKSTER    PRESP.VTKRY.  9 

"  Resolved.,  That  as  a  means  of  foriniiig  this  nniuii  afore- 
said, it  is  expedient  that  this  association  he  dissolved,  and  the 
moderator  is  hereby  directed  to  declare  it  dissolved  at  the 
close  of  the   session." 

In  accordance  with  the  aforesaid  resolntion  the  associa- 
tion after  directing  its  registrar,  the  Eev.  Aaron  C.  Collins, 
"  to  present  the  records  of  the  association  to  the  Presbytery 
of  Geneva  that  they  may  be  preserved,"  was  declared  by 
the  moderator  to  be  dissolved,  the  same  having  existed 
thirteen  years. 


HISTORY  OF  THE  PRESBYTERIES  HAVING  CHURCHES 

IN  THE  COUNTIES  OF  MONROE  AND  LIVINGSTON 

PRIOR  TO  THE  REUNION  IN  1870. 

In  the  year  1802  the  Presbytery  of  Albany,  which  at 
that  time  contained  only  fourteen  ministers,  was  divided 
into  the  Presbyteries  of  Albany,  Columbia  and  Oneida,  the 
latter  embracing  all  the  territory  in  the  State  of  New 
York  west  of  the  east  line  of  the  counties  of  Otsego  and 
Herkimer,  but  no  church  in  this  section  was  connected  with 
that  Presbytery. 

In  1805  the  Presbytery  of  Oneida  was  restricted  to  the 
western  line  of  the  counties  of  Oneida  and  Chenango,  and 
all  west  of  that  line  within  the  state  was  assigned  to  the 
Presbytery  of  Geneva,  which  was  then  formed,  and  which  /  r-^^ 
consisted  of  Kev.  Jedidiah  Chapman,  of  Geneva,  Rev. 
John  Lindsley,  of  Ovid,  Rev.  Samuel  Leacock,  of  Hope- 
well, and  Rev.  Jabiz  Chadwick,  of  Genoa.  Its  churches 
at  that  time  were  Ovid,  Geneva,  Geneseo  First  now  located 
at  Lakeville,  Trumansburgh,  Ithaca,  Seneca,  Seneca  Falls 
and  Hopewell.  The  first  meeting  of  this  Presbytery  was 
in  Geneva,  Sept.  17,  1805,  and  was  opened  with  a  sermon 
by  Rev.  David  Higgins,  of  Auburn. 

In   October,  1810,  this  Presbytery  was  reduced  by  the 


16 


HISTORY    OF    ROCHESTER   PRESBYTERY. 


formation  of  two  Presbyteries  east  of  Cayuga  Lake,  but 
continued  to  hold  all  the  state  west  of  Cayuga  Lake  up  to 
the  year  1817. 

We  have  already  noticed  that  the  church  at  Lakeville 
belonged  to  the  Presbytery  of  Geneva  at  the  time  of  its 
organization  in  1805,  and  has  therefore  the  honor  of  being 
the  first  church  regularly  connected  with  Presbytery  M^est 
of  Canandaigua.  Other  churches  on  this  field  were  re- 
ceived by  this  Presbytery  in  the  following  order :  Caledonia, 
1806 ;  Livonia,  July  7,  1813  ;  West  Bloomiield  and  Kich- 
mond,  Sept.  21,  1813;  Penfield,  April  19,  1814;  Geneseo 
2d  and  Pittsford,  April  20,  1814;  Ogden,  Aug.  9,  1815 ; 
Rochester  1st,  Jan.  16, 1816  ;  South  Bristol,  Aug.  13, 1816  ; 
and  Mount  Morris,  Feb.  12,  1817. 

At  Geneva,  on  the  19th  of  February,  1817,  the  Presby- 
tery of  Geneva,  which  then  consisted  of  twenty-nine 
ministers,  forty-five  churches  and  seven  licentiates,  was,  at 
its  own  request,  divided  into  four  Presbyteries  by  the  synod 
of  Geneva  as  follows  : 

1st.  The  ministers  comprised  within  the  counties  of 
Steuben,  Allegany  and  Tioga,  together  with  Rev.  Ebenezer 
Lazell  and  Rev.  Lyman  Barrett,  and  the  church  of  Naples 
were  constituted  the  Presbytery  of  Bath.  The  other 
ministers  and  churches  in  this  Presbytery  were  Rev,  David 
Higgins,  Rev.  James  H.  Hotchkin,  Rev.  Robert  Hubbard, 
Rev.  Clement  Hickman  and  Rev.  Hezekiah  Woodruff. 
Churches — Bath,  Painted  Post,  Angelica,  Almond,  Pratts- 
burgh,  Wayne  and  Elmira. 

2d.  The  ministers  and  churches  west  of  the  eastern 
boundary  of  the  Holland  Purchase,  which  is  not  far  from 
the  present  western  boundaries  of  the  counties  of  Living- 
ston and  Monroe,  together  with  Rev.  David  H.  Tullar  and 
the  church  in  Le  Roy,  with  Mr.  David  K.  Smith,  licentiate 
were  constituted  the  Presbytery  of  Niagara.  The  other 
ministers  and  churches  were  Rev.  Hugh  Wallis  and  Rev. 


kiSTORY    OF    ROCHESTER    PRESBYTERY,  11 

Miles  p.  Squire.  Cliurelies— Attica,  Warsaw,  I>uffalo. 
Hamburgli,  Lewiston  and  roinfret. 

3d.  The  ministers  and  churches  comprised  between  tlie 
eastern  boundary  of  the  Presbytery  of  Niagara  and  tlie 
dividing  line  between  the  third  and  fourth  ranges  of  town- 
ships in  the  County  of  Ontario,  together  with  Warren  Day, 
Ebenezer  Everett  and  Josiah  Pierson,  licentiates,  were 
constituted  the  Presbytery  of  Ontario. 

4th.  The  remaining  ministers  and  churches,  with  Daniel 
S.  Butrick  and  Stephen  M.  Wheelock,  licentiates,  remained 
as  the  Presbytery  of  Geneva ;  being  bounded  on  the  east 
by  Cayuga  Lake  and  on  the  west  by  the  Presbytery  of 
Ontario;  and  consisting  of  Kev.  Messrs.  Benjamin  Bell, 
Charles  Mosher,  Howell  E.  Powell,  Joseph  Merrill,  William 
Clark,  Henry  Axtell,  Frances  Pomeroy,  Eleazer  Fairbanks, 
Moses  Young  and  Stephen  Porter,  with  the  churches  of 
Geneva,  Trumansburg,  Ovid,  Palmyra,  Seneca  I^^alls,  Hope- 
well, Romulus,  Hector,  Lyons.  Benton,  Sodus,  Phelps, 
Huron,  Augusta,  Rushville,  Junius  2d,  Clyde  and  East 
Palmyra. 

Of  these  four  Presbyteries,  that  of  Ontario  covered  very 
nearly  the  same  territory  as  that  occupied  by  our  Presbytery 
of  Rochester  at  the  present  time,  and  subsequently  formed 
a  constituent  part  of  the  same. 


PRESBYTERY    OF    ONTARIO. 


— "~'The'"'Fresbytery   of    Ontario   held   its   tirst   meeting   at  \ 

Livonia,  March  11,  1817,  and  was  opened  w^th  a  sermon  by  ;, 

Rev.  Ebenezer   Fitch,  D.  D.,  of   West   Bloomfield,-.Aiftm.  \ 

Malflohi  III,  0  .  ^■"'Aiid  lm'?!lial>  yf(y-ay-fy-Teti7mr^TiTh;g!^^ 
.silver*  mu\   he   shall   purify   tlie.  sons  of  Ivevi    and   pnrger 

,Jliem  as  gold  and  silver,  tlmt  they  may  oifer  unto  the  Lord 
an  offering  in  riglireonsjiess."    -Dr.  Fitch  was  chosen  mod" 


rd-^'* 


^  *^^' 


12  HISTORY  or  Rochester  presbtterv. 

erator  and  Rev.  Anotrew  Kawsoii,  of  Bristol,  clerk.  In 
regard  to  Dr.  Fitch,  it  is^tope^p-^e^Trewittrk  that  before  taking 
the  pastoral  charge  of  the  church  at  AYest  Bloonifield,  he 
had  been  the  first  president  of  Williams  College,  Mass.,  for 
about  22  years,  in  which  position  he  was  honored,  beloved 
and  very  successful.  But  some  of  his  best  work  i^tiSSS^ 
MmsHm-  was  done  after  he  was  about  sixty  years  of  age,  in 
his  twelve  years'  pastorate  at  West  Bloonifield,  followed  by 
about  five  years  of  retirement  on  a  farm  in  the  same  place 
prior  to  his  death,  March  21,  1833.     The  infant  Presbytery  \ 

and  the  churches  in  this  region  were  greatly  indebted  to  I 

him  as  an  efficient  leader  and  a  judicious  adviser.    "-^ — .— -^ 

At  this  first  meeting  there  were  present  beside  the  mod- 
erator and  clerk  just  named,  Rev.  Aaron  C.  Collins,  of 
East  Bloonifield  ;  Rev.  Reuben  Parmerlee,  of  Victor,  and 
Rev.  Comfort  Williams,  of  Rochester.  Also,  as  elders, 
Elisha  Parish,  of  Bristol,.„(^^^  ;  Oliver  Gibbs,  Rochester 
First ;  Isaac  Chamberlain,  Richmond ;  Justus  Brown, 
Parma ;  Dan  Canfield,  West  Bloonifield ;  Zera  Blake, 
Livonia,  and  Uriah  Parker  of  Pittsford.  In  addition  to 
the  aforesaid  ministers  and  churches,  there  belonged  to  the 
body  at  the  time  of  its  organization.  Rev.  John  Lindsley, 
of  Geneseo  ;  Rev.  Ezekiel  J.  Chapman,  of  Bristol,<aiiPl6Cia^  ; 
Rev.  Alexander  Deiioon,  of  Caledonia,  and  Rev.  Silas 
Hubbard,  of  Moscow,  with  the  churches  of  Penfield,  Mount 
Morris,  Perry  Centre,  Geneseo  1st,  Geneseo  2d,  and  Cale- 
donia ;  with  the  following  licentiates :  Warren  Day,  Ebe- 
nezer  Everett  and  Josiah  Pierson.  In  all  there  were  nine 
ministers,  thirteen  churches  and  three  licentiates.  At  this 
first  meeting  Rev.  Alonzo  Darwin,  of  Riga,  Rev.  Chauncey 
Cook,  of  Lima,  and  Rev.  John  F.  Bliss,  of  Avon,  were  | 
received.  .      „      ,     ,  I 

Subsequent  receptions  by  ordination  w^ere  as  follows : 
May  8,  1817,  Rev.  Silas  Pratt ;  July  2, 1817,  Rev.  Abraham 
Forman  and  Rev.  Loring  D.  Dewey  ;    Feb.  -1,  1818,  Rev. 


HISTORY    OF    ROCHESTER   PRESBYTERY.  13 

Ebenezer  Everett;  March  2,  1819,  Rev.  Warren  Day; 
Jan.  19,  1822,  Rev.  Norris  Bull;  Yah.  1,  1825,  Rev.  B. 
Foster  Pratt;  April  28,  1828,  Rev.  Silas  C.  Brown  ;  Jan. 
21,  1829,  Rev.  Nathaniel  W.  Fisher  and  Rev.  Benjamin  C. 
Cressey,  that  they  might  go  on  a  mission  to  the  State  of 
Indiana.  March  10,  1831,  Rev.  Isaac  Crabb  ;  August  24, 
1831,  Rev.  Hiram  L.  Miller  ;  Feb.  18,  1834,  Rev.  William 
P.  Jackson  ;  Oct.  1,  1834,  Rev.  Elam  H.  Walker;  March 
17,  1835,  Rev.  Oliver  S.  Powel,  to  labor  for  the  A.  B.  C. 
F.  M.,  among  the  Indians  near  the  Rocky  Mountains ; 
August  25,  1835,  Rev.  John  H.  Redington  ;  Sept.  10, 
1839,  Rev.  Daniel  Gibbs  ;  Sept.  19,  1839,  Rev.  Daniel  B. 
Woods;  Sept.  21,  1842,  Rev.  John  P.  Foster;  Sept.  25, 
1844,  Rev.  William  Hunter;  May  25,  1847,  Rev.  Charles 
Richards ;  Sept.  27,  1848,  Rev.  Edward  B.  Walsworth  ; 
Sept.  25,  1855,  Rev.  Orson  P.  Allen,  and  Rev.  Herman  N. 
Barnum  ;  July  10, 1856,  Rev.  Levi  Parsons  ;  March  6, 1861, 
Rev.  Alphonso  L.  Benton  ;  June  23,  1863,  Rev.  Ira  O. 
De  Long ;  July  2,  ]  867,  Rev.  Isaac  N.  Lowrie;  Oct.  6, 1868, 
Rev.  Willis  Clark  Gaylord. 

Receptions  by  letter  were  as  follows  : 

June  17,  L'^17,  Rev,  Asa  Carpenter,  from  Coos  Associ- 
ation, Yt. 

July  2,  1817,  Rev.  Elihu  Mason,  from  an  Association  in 
Connecticut. 

Jan.  20,  1818,  Rev.  Julius  Steele,  as  pastor  of  the  church 
at  East  Bloomfield. 

July  4,  1819,  Rev.  John  Barnard,  from  the  Oneida  Asso- 
ciation ;  and  Rev.  Elijah  Warren,  from  the  Geneva  Conso- 
ciation. 

Aug.  23,  1831,  Rev.  John  B.  Whittlesey,  from  the  Pres- 
bytery of  Lancaster. 

April  22,  1828,  Rev.  Jeremiah  Stowe. 

Aug.  26,  1828,  Rev.  Horace  Galpin,  from  the  Pesbytery 
of  Troy. 


14  HISTORY    OF    ROCHESTER   PRESBYTERY. 

Jan.  20,  1829,  Rev.  Orange  Lyman  from  the  Presbytery 
of  Troy. 

Sept.  17,  1829,  Rev.  James  W.  Mc  Master,  from  the 
Presbytery  of  Buffalo. 

Jan.  20,  1830,  Rev.  Benjamin  B.  Smith,  from  the  Pres- 
bytery of  Geneva ;  Rev.  Daniel  Johnson,  from  the  Barn- 
stable Association,  Mass.,  and  Rev.  Elijah  Wallage.  from 
Windham  Association,  Vt. 

Aug.  24,  1830,  Rev.  John  Walker,  from  the  Monadnock 
Association,  N.  H. 

Sept.  21,  1831,  Rev.  James  B.  Wilcox,  from  tlie  Presby- 
tery of  Genesee. 

July  3,  1832,  Rev.  Edward  Bronson  from  the  Genesee 
Consociation. 

Aug.  28,  1832,  Rev.  George  AV.  Elliott,  from  the  Pres- 
bytery of  Rochester  ;  Rev.  James  Cahoon,  from  the  Pres- 
bytery of  Angelica,  and  Rev.  Ludovicus  Robbins,  from  the 
Presbytery  of  Huron. 

March  5,  1833,  Rev.  Richard  Kay,  as  pastor  of  the  church 
at  Victor. 

March  19,  1833,  Rev.  Robert  Hubbard,  from  the  Presby- 
tery of  Angelica. 

Jan.  22,  1834,  Rev.  Justus  S.  Hough,  from  the  Presby- 
tery of  Cayuga. 

Feb.  13,  1834,  Rev.  Stephen  Porter,  from  the  Presbytery 
of  Geneva. 

Feb.  18,  1834,  Rev.  Jacob  Burbank,  from  tlie  Presbytery 
of  Rochester. 

July  31,  1834,  Rev.  John  C.  Lord,  from  the  Presbytery 
of  Buffalo. 

Aug.  25,  1835,  Rev.  John  H.  Carle,  from  the  Presbytery 
of  Geneva. 

Oct.  28,  1835,  Rev.  Linus  W.  Billington,  from  the  Pres- 
bytery of  Geneva. 

Nov.  11,  1835,  Rev.  Sanniel  Shaffer  from  the  Presbytery 
of  Bath. 


HISTORY    OF    ROCHESTER    PRESBYTERY.  15 

Jan.  20,  1836,  Eev.  Clark  H.  Goodrich,  from  the  Pres- 
Taytery  of  Columbia. 

Feb.,  1836,  Kev.  Ilezekiah  B.  Pierpont,  and  Rev.  Wm. 
C.  Wisner,  from  the  Presbytery  of  Rochester. 

Jan.  17,  1837,  Rev.  Caleb  Purge,  from  the  Presbytery  of 
Oswego. 

Jan.  18,  1837,  Rev.  Lyman  Thompson,  from  the  Presby- 
tery  of  Genesee. 

July  25,  1837,  Rev.  Henry  Snyder,  from  the  Presbytery 
of  Cayuga. 

Oct.  U,  1837,  Rev.  Abel  C.  Ward,  from  the  Presbytery 
of  Buffalo. 

Oct.  3,  1838,  Rev.  John  N.  Lewis,  from  the  Presbytery 
of  Columbia. 

Oct.  10,  1838,  Rev.  Edwards  Marsh,  from  the  Presbytery 
of  Onondaga. 

Jan.  15,  1839,  Rev.  E.  A.  Piatt,  from  the  Genesee 
Consociation. 

April  16,  1839,  Rev,  Ebenezer  H.  Stratton,  from  the 
Presbytery  of  Genesee ;  and  Rev.  Leveret  Hull,  from  the 
Presbytery  of  Angelica. 

Sept.  11, 1839,  Rev.  Aaron  Garrison,  from  the  Presbytery 
of  Oneida. 

Jan.  21, 1840,  Rev.  Jonathan  Leslie,  from  the  Presbytery 
of  Grand  River  ;  and  Rev.  Moses  Gillette,  from  the  Presby- 
tery of  Oneida. 

Aug.  25,  1840,  Rev.  Cyrus  Hudson,  from  the  Berkshire 
Association. 

Nov.  17, 1840,  Rev.  John  G.  L.  Haskins,  from  the  Baptist 
Ontario  Association. 

April  13,  1841,  Rev.  Loring  Brewster,  from  the  Oneida 
Association. 

Aug.  25,  1841,  Rev.  Chapin  Rufus  Clarke,  from  the 
Presbytery  of  Portage. 

Jan.  18,  1842,  Rev.  William  U.  Benedict,  from  the 
Presbytery  of  Rochester. 


16  HISTORY    OF   KOCHESTER    PRESBYTERY. 

March  21,  1843,  Rev.  Lemuel  Leonard,  and  Rev.  Abel 
Caldwell,  from  the  Presbytery  of  Angelica. 

March  22,  1843,  Rev.  Benjamin  G.  Riley,  from  the- 
Presbytery  of  Otsego. 

Oct.  11,  1343,  Rev.  Benjamin  B.  Stockton,  from  the- 
Presbytery  of  Rochester. 

Jan.  21,  1845,  Rev.  Samuel  M.  Hopkins,  from  the 
Presbytery  of  Buffalo. 

Sept.  22,  1846,  Rev.  Peter  S.  Yan  Nest,  from  the 
Presbytery  of  Detroit. 

Sept.  28,  1847,  Rev.  William  Lusk,  from  the  Presbytery 
of  Otsego. 

Oct.  20,  1847,  Rev.  Charles  H.  A.  Bulkley,  from  the 
Presbyterian  and  Congregational  Convention  of  Beloit 
District,  Wisconsin. 

May  4,  1848,  Rev.  W.  Fithian,  from  the  Illinois  Pres- 
bytery. 

Sept.  27,  1848,  Rev.  A.  Y.  H.  Powell,  from  the  Presby- 
tery of   Steuben. 

April  24,  1850,  Rev.  Joseph  R.  Page,  from  the  Presby- 
tery of  Genesee ;  and  Rev.  Henry  Kendall,  from  the 
Presbytery  of  Utica. 

August  21,  1850,  Rev.  Ferdinand  DeW.  Ward,  from  the 
Presbytery  of  Rochester. 

April  23,  1851,  Rev.  Darwin  Chichester,  from  the 
Presbytery  of  Montrose. 

April  28,  1852,  Rev.  E.  M.  Toof,  from  the  Presbytery  of 
Genesee. 

April  26,  1853,  Rev.  J.  W.  Ray,  from  the  Presbytery  of 
Kalamazoo. 

Sept.  21, 1853,  Rev.  R.  L.  Hurlburt,  from  the  Presbytery 
of  Niagara,  and  Rev.  C.  L.  Hequemburg,  from  the  Pres- 
bytery of  Angelica. 

Jan.  12,  1854,  Rev.  Daniel  C.  Houghton,  from  the  West 
Genesee  Conference  of  the  M.  E.  Church. 


HISTORY    OF   ROCHESTER    PRESBYTERY.  17 

April  25,  1854,  Rev.  Pliii}^  F.  Sanborne,  from  the  Hart- 
ford North  Association. 

Sept.  20,  1854,  Rev.  Sabiu  IMcKinney,  from  the  Presby- 
tery of  Montrose. 

Jan  8,  1856,  Rev.  Anson  II.  Parmerlee,  from  tlie  Pres- 
bytery of  Chenning. 

June  8,  1856,  Rev.  John  N.  Hubbard,  from  the  Presby- 
tery of  Oswego. 

July  9,  1856,  Rev.  Edwin  G.  Moore,  from  the  Presbytery 
of  Chicago. 

June  2,  1857,  Rev.  Robert  R.  Kellogg,  froni  the  Presby- 
tery of  Genesee. 

June  22,  1857,  Rev.  Milton  Bnttolph,  from  the  Presby- 
tery of  Chemung. 

Jan.  6,  1858,  Rev,  Samuel  M.  Campbell,  from  the  Oneida 
Association. 

June  1,  1858,  Rev.  Luther  Conklin,  from  the  Presbytery 
of  Cayuga. 

Sept.  29,  1858,  Rev.  Nathaniel  Elmer,  from  the  Presby- 
tery of  Chemung. 

Jan.  4,  1859,  Rev.  Levi  G.  Marsh,  from  the  Lincoln 
Association,  Maine. 

Feb.  2,  1859,  Rev.  George  P.  Folsom,  from  the  Presby- 
tery of  Genesee. 

Sept.  12,  1860,  Rev.  Samuel  Jessup,  from  the  Presbytery 
of  Hudson, 

June  3,  1862,  Rev.  Dwiglit  Scovel,  from  the  Presbytery 
of  Onondaga. 

June  29,  1864,  Rev.  S.  Mills  Day,  from  the  Presbytery 
of  Chemung. 

Sept.  15,  1864,  Rev.  Claudius  B.  Lord,  from  the  Presby- 
tery of  BufEalo. 

Sept.  12,  1866,  Rev.  Edwin  R.  Davis,  from  the  Presby- 
tery of  Onondaga. 

June  9,  1868,  Rev.  A.  Baker,  from  the  Presbytery  of 
Onondaga. 


18  HISTORY    OF    ROCHESTER    PRESBYTERY. 

Feb.  1,  1869,  Rev.  Lucius  D.  Chapin,  from  the  Presby- 
tery of  Washtenaw,  Mich.,  and  Kev.  Isaac  N.  Sprague. 
D.D.,  from  the  Presbytery  of  Newark,  N.  J.,  and  Pev. 
Henry  M.  Hazeltine,  from  the  Western  New  York  Con- 
sociation. 

June  9,  1869,  Rev.  Joseph  L.  Whiting,  from  the  Presby- 
tery of  Cayuga. 

In  addition  to  the  original  thirteen  churches,  others  have 
from  time  to  time  been  added  to  tlie  roll  as  follows : 
June  17,  1817,  West  Poultney  and  Riga. 
Jan'y  20,  1818,  North  Avon. 
Jan'y  19,  1819,  Gainesville  and  Pike. 
Jan'y  20,  1819,  Groveland. 
Jan'y  20,  1820,  Nunda. 
Feb.  8,  1820,  Dansville. 
June  20,  1820,  Lima. 
Jan'y  15,  ls22,  Avon. 
Aug.  20,  1822,  East  Bloomfield. 
Aug.  19,  1823,  North  Bristol. 
Aug.  23,  1825,  Sparta  second. 
Jan'y  16,  1827,  Springwater. 
Jan'y  15,  1828,  Victor. 
Aug.  25,  1829,  South  Richmond. 
June  24,  1829,  West  Bloomfield  2d. 
Nov.  17,  1830,  York. 

Jan'y  18,  1831,  Mount  Morris  2d  and  Moscow. 
Jan'y  17,  1832,  Conesus. 
Dec.  26,  1834,  South  Avon. 
Sept.  18,  1839,  Cohocton  2d. 
June  2,  1846,  Tuscarora. 
Feb.  13,  1855,  Dansville  2d. 
Dec.  11,  1866,  Avon  Springs. 
June  10,  1868,  Ossian.  ....,...^..,.._. 


The  Rev.  Comfort  Williams,  pastor  of  the  First  Church 
of  Rochester,  was  elected  the  first  stated  clerk  March  11. 


\ 


HISTORY    OF    ROCHESTER   PRESBYTERY.  19 

1817,  M'hich  office  he  held  for  about  two  years,  M'heii  with 
others  he  was  transferred  to  form  the  Presbytery  of 
JRocl^ester.  file  was  succeedecl  1SyTte^''!?5^T3raIimh  T'orman, 
of  Geneseo,  who  held  the  office  less  than  a  year ;  when, 
Feb.  8th,  1820,  the  Eev.  John  Barnard,  of  Lima,  was 
elected  to  the  office,  whicli,  for  fifty  years,  he  continued  to 
hold,  greatly  to  the  satisfaction  of  his  co-presbyters,  until 
the  Presbytery  was  merged  into  that  of  Rochester  at  the 
time  of  reconstruction. 

During  the  fifty -three  years  of  its  existence  the  interest 
which  Ontario  Presbytery  took  in  ministerial  education  is 
worthy  of  notice.  At  its  first  meeting,  which  was  years  ' 
before  the  founding  of  Auburn  Seminary,  it  was  "  Resolved 
that  Rev.  Messrs.  Fitch,  Williams  and  Collins,  and  Messrs. 
Perrin  and  Parish  be  a  committee  to  devise  some  plan  for 
the  purpose  of  educating  pious,  indigent  young  men  for 
the  gospel  ministry,  and  that  they  be  required  to  report  at 
the  first  stated  meeting  of  Presbytery."  J 

In  connection  wdth  the  report  of  the  aforesaid  committee  ~^ 
the  f ollow^ing  minute  appears  :  "  The  subject  of  forming  a 
society  for  the  education  of  pious,  indigent  young  men  for 
the  gospel  ministry  was  called  up,  and  after  mature  delib- 
eration it  was  considered  inexpedient  to  proceed  at  this 
meeting  of  Presbytery  to  organize  the  contemplated 
society.  Therefore,  resolved  that  the  business  be  deferred 
to  a  meeting  to  be  held  at  East  Bloomfield  on  the  first 
Wednesday  of  September  next  at  10  o'clock  A.  M.;  that 
Rev.  E.  Fitch,  D.D.,  be  required  to  notify  the  public  of 
said  meeting  through  the  medium  of  the  newspapers 
printed  in  this  region ;  and  that  the  Doctor  open  the  con-  ; 
templated  meeting  with  a  sermon."  What  action  was  taken 
at  this  meeting  does  not  appear  in  the  records;  but  we 
cannot  doubt  that  it  all  tended  toward  the  ultimate  founding 
of  Auburn  Seminary  ;  for  which  we  have  reason  to  believe 
large  credit  was  due  to  the  influence  of  Dr.  Fitch.  Under 
date  of  Aug.  24,  1821,  the  following  resolutions  appear: 


20  HISTORY    OF    KOCHESTEE    PRESBYTERY. 

"  1.  Resolved,  That  a  contribution  be  taken  up  in  each 
of  our  congregations  in  the  month  of  February,  annually, 
which  may  be  appropriated  to  the  aid  either  of  the  Semi- 
nary at  Auburn  or  Princeton,  or  to  both  of  them,  as  those 
Avho  take  it  may  see  proper. 

"  2.  Resolved,  That  it  be  recommended  to  the  ministers 
and  elders  of  our  churches  to  form  associations  in  their 
congregations  to  cultivate  small  portions  of  land,  the  avails 
of  which  shall  be  appropriated  annually,  for  the  benefit  of 
the  Seminary  at  Auburn. 

''  3.  Resolved,  That  Dr.  Fitch  be  appointed  to  receive 
accounts  of  the  formation  of  such  associations  and  forward 
them  to  the  trustees  of  the  Seminary." 

That  the  Presbytery  took  a  very  deep  interest  in  the 
education  of  the  Indians  living  at  Squakie  Hill,  in  the 
town  of  Leicester,  appears  from  the  following  resolutions 
under  date  of  Aug.  23,  1821 : 

"  1.  Resolved,  That  a  representation  of  the  situation  of 
the  Indians  at  Squakie  Hill,  together  with  a  statement  of 
the  proceedings  of  the  Presbyteries  of  Ontario  and  Genesee 
in  relation  to  the  establishment  of  a  school  among  them,  be 
made  by  this  Presbytery  to  the  Board  of  Managers  of  the 
United  Foreign  Missionary  Society,  with  a  view  to  the 
relinquishment  of  the  school  on  the  part  of  Presbytery, 
provided  that  society  will  undertake  its  management. 

"  2.  Resolved,  That  in  case  the  Board  of  Managers  of 
the  U.  F.  M.  Society  determine  to  undertake  the  manage- 
ment of  the  school  at  Squakie  Hill  it  be  relinquished  by 
this  Presbytery ;  and  that  this  Presbytery  relinquish  in 
favor  of  said  society  whatever  right  this  Presbytery  has  in 
r  the  house  prepared  for  the  accommodation  of  said  scJiool. 

"  3.  Resol/ved,  That  in  case  the  Board  of  Managers  of 
the  U.  F.  M.  Society  do  not  determine  to  undertake  the 
management  of  the  school  before  mentioned,  the  Presbytery 
ask  of  the  said  Board  of  Managers  a  portion  of  the  money 
appropriated  by  the  President  of  the  United  States  to  the 
instruction  and  improvement  of  the  Seneca  Indians,  to  be 
employed  by  Presbytery  in  support  of  said  school. 

"  4.  Resolved,  That  the  Committee  on  Indian  Affairs 
propose  the  foregoing  to  the  Presbytery  of  Genesee  at  their 


HISTORY    OF    ROCHESTER    PRESBYTERY.  21 

next  meeting,  for  their  concurrence ;  and  in  case  these 
resohitions  or  the  substance  be  adopted  by  said  Presbytery, 
to  co-operate  with  any  committee  that  said  Presbytery  may 
appoint  for  that  purpose,  in  making  the  contemplated 
representation  to  the  Board  of  Managers  of  the  U.  F.  M. 
Society. 

"  5.  Resolved,  that  in  case  the  Board  of  Managers  of  the 
U.  F.  M.  Society  do  not  undertake  the  management  of  the 
school  of  Squakie  Hill,  the  above  mentioned  committee,  in 
connection  with  a  committee  for  the  same  purpose  from  the 
Genesee  Presbytery,  conduct  the  school  according  to  their 
discretion,  and  that  they  report  their  proceedings  and  the 
results  of  them,  to  Presbytery  at  its  next  stated  meeting." 

The  interest  which  the  Presbytery  took  in  the  care  of  its  » 
feeble  churches  appears  in  the  following  ''  Constitution  of 
the  Voluntary  Missionary    Society  for  the  Presbytery  of 
Ontario,"  which  was  adopted  by  the  Presbytery  at  its  meet- 
ing in  Lima,  Jan.  18,  1820  : 

''  Article  1.  The  officers  of  this  Society  shall  be  a  Presi- 
dent, Vice-President,  Treasurer  and  Clerk,  who  shall  be 
annually  elected  by  ballot. 

'*  Art.  2.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  President,  or  in  case 
of  his  absence,  the  Vice-President,  to  preside  in  all  meet- 
ings of  this  Society. 

"  Art.  3.  The  object  of  this  Society  shall  be  to  afEord 
occasional  supplies  of  preaching  and  evangelical  instruction 
to  those  places  in  this  region  which  must  otherwise  remain 
destitute. 

"  Art.  1.  For  the  accomplishment  of  this  object  it  is  rec- 
ommended to  each  Minister  in  this  Presbytery  to  spend  as 
much  time  in  missionary  labors  as  his  own  sense  of  duty 
shall  direct,  and  liis  congregation  shall  be  willing  to  allow 
him  for  that  purpose. 

"  Akt.  5.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  missionary  to  make 
collections  for  the  benefit  of  the  Society,  wherever  practica- 
ble, and  to  transmit  the  same  to  the  Treasurer. 


22  HISTORY    OF    ROCHESTER    PRESBYTERY. 

''Art.  6.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  every  missionary  to  keep 
a  journal  of  his  proceedings  and  labors,  to  collect  useful 
information  relative  to  the  moral  state  and  religious  pros- 
pects of  the  people  among  whom  he  shall  labor,  and  to 
make  a  report  of  the  same  to  this  Society  once  a  year  at 
their  semi-annual  meeting  in  January  ;  and  this  journal  is 
to  be  forwarded  to  the  General  Assembly,  in  the  same  man- 
ner as  other  missionary  journals  are  forwarded. 

''  Art.  7.  This  constitution  may  be  altered  or  amended 
afterwards,  but  only  by  the  consent  of  two-thirds  of  the 
members  of  this  Presbytery  present." 

The  Presbytery  then  proceeded  to  elect  the  following 
officers  :  — President,  Eev.  Ebenezer  Fitch,  D.  D. ;  Yice- 
President,  Rev  Andrew  Rawson  ;  Treasurer,  Rev.  Julius 
Steele,  and  Clerk,  Rev.  John  Barnard. 

As  early  as  Aug.  24,  1825,  "  Messrs.  Barnard,  Bull  and 
Day  were  appointed  a  committee  to  compile  a  history  of  the 
Presbytery  and  to  report  it  at  the  next  stated  meeting."  It 
was  also  "  Kesoloed,  that  the  several  churches  be  directed  to 
prepare  histories  of  their  origin,  and  to  forward  them  to 
the  above  committee,  on  or  before  the  3d  Tuesday  of  Sep- 
tember next."  At  the  next  meeting,  Jan.  18,  1820,  this 
committee  reported  in  part,  which  was  approved,  and  they 
were  authorized  to  conduct  the  business  in  that  way  which 
they  should  think  proper. 

The  following  report  on  intemperance  was  adopted  Aug. 
29,  1827.  "  The  committee  appointed  to  consider  the  rec- 
ommendation of  the  General  Assembly  on  the  subject  of 
Intemperance,  report  that  they  have  attended  to  the  business 
assigned  them ;  and  that  they  view  the  common  use  of 
ardent  spirits  in  our  country  an  alarming  evil,  and  would 
recommend  the  adoption  of  the  following  resolutions,  viz.  : 

"  1.  Resolved,  that  the  intemperate  use  of  ardent  spirits 
is  an  evil  which  the  friends  of  the  Redeemer  ought  to 
unite  in  suppressing  ;  and  that  it  is  hereby  earnestly  recom- 


HISTORY    OF    ROCHESTER   PRESBYTERY.  23 

mended  to  the  cliurclies  in  connection  with  tlie  Presbytery 
to  lend  their  aid  in  eliecting  this  object. 

"  2.  Resolved,,  that  the  intemperate  use  of  ardent  spirits 
grows  out  of  the  temperate  use  of  them,  and  that,  in  the 
judgment  of  this  Presbytery,  entire  abstinence  is  the  only 
effectual  remedy  for  the  evils  of  intemperance. 

"  8.  Therefore,  Resolved,  that  the  temperate  use  of  ardent 
spirits  ought,  in  all  ordinary  cases,  to  be  conscientiously 
avoided  and  discouraged. 

' '  4.  Resolved,  that  we  consider  the  address  of  Mr.  Kitt- 
ridge  on  the  effects  of  ardent  spirits,  as  well  calculated  to 
promote  the  object  of  the  previous  resolutions,  and  that  the 
members  of  this  body  will  encourage  its  circulation. 

"  Resolved,  that  Messrs.  Hastings  and  Chipman  procure 
the  publication  of  the  above  resolutions  and  phamphlet  for 
the  beneiit  of  our  congregation."  ^^__  ^, . 

~  January  19,  1831,  "  It  was  resolved  that  the  Rev.  Charles 
G.  Finney  be  invited  to  come  and  labor  within  the  bounds 
of  this  Presbytery  ;  and  that  the  Rev.  Norris  Bull  be  a 
committee  to  communicate  the  resolution  to  Mr.  Finney 
with   such  a  statement   of  facts   as   he   may   deem   expe- 

'**""l''he   following   report   on   the   subject   of    slavery   was 
adopted  Jaimary  17,  1837  : 

"  The  committee  on  the  subject  of  slavery  would  respect- 
fully report  that  they  have  endeavored  carefully  to  examine 
the  subject,  and  beg  leave  to  recommend  to  the  Presbytery 
the  following  resolution  : 

"  Resolved,  That  we  consider  the  enslaving  of  one  part 
of  the  human  race  by  another  as  a  gross  violation  of  the 
most  sacred  rights  of  human  nature ;  as  utterly  inconsistent 
with  the  law  of  Grod,  which  requires  us  to  love  our  neigii- 
bor  as  ourselves,  and  as  totally  irreconcilable  with  the  spirit 
and  principles  of  the  gospel  of  Christ,  which  enjoins  that 
'  All  things  whatsoever  ye  would  that  men  should  do  to 
you,  do  ye  so  to  them.' 

"  That  therefore  we  consider  it  the  duty  of  all  Christians, 
adopting  all  wise  and  prudent  measures,  to  use  their  honest, 


24  HISTORY    OF   ROCHESTER    PRESBYTERY.  v 

I  earnest  and  unweai-ied  endeavors,  as  speedily  as  possible,  to        I 

I  obtain  the  complete  abolition  of  slavery  in  our  land,  and  if        | 

I         possible  throughout  the  world. '^,        _  __^         ,,  _  . ,  n.J 

~^^T3jessrsrG-oodrich,  Brown  and  Tracy  were  appointed  a 
committee  to  procure  the  publication  of  the  above  resolu- 
tion in  the  New  York  Ohserver^  New  York  Evangelist  and 
Buffalo  Spectator r 

The  Presbytery  of  Ontario  held  its  semi-centennial  cele- 
bration at  Mount  Morris,  March  12th,  1867,  at  which  time 
the  Rev.  Joseph  R.  Page  preached  the  Historical  Sermon 
from  Ps.  48:  12-13,  "  Walk  about  Zion,  and  go  round  about 
her,  tell  the  towers  thereof,  mark  ye  well  her  bulwarks, 
consider  her  palaces,  that  ye  may  tell  it  to  the  generation 
following."  This  sermon,  together  with  other  important 
historical  papers  and  speeches,  was  published,  from  which 
the  following  extracts  are  taken:  "Geographically  and 
ecclesiastically  and  generally  this  Presbytery  soon  came  to 
occupy  the  middle  ^ground,  in  some  respects  unfavorable  to 
its  growth,  excellent  as  it  is  in  itself.  The  attractions  of 
the  Great  West  beyond  drew  thither  thousands  and  tens 
of  thousands  of  our  population,  which  is  less  to-da}^  than  it 
was  a  quarter  of  a  century  ago.  *  *  *  *  Individuals 
and  churches  of  extreme  views  and  intolerant  spirit  disliked 
.our  exemplification  of  the  gospel  precept,  '  Let  your  mod- 
eration be  known  unto  all  men,'  and  separated  from  us. 
Ultra  abolitionism  reveled  in  its  derisive  and  destructive 
work.  Five  of  our  congregations  became  connected  with 
the  Old  School.  The  '  millstones,'  by  which  we  wei'e  to 
be  '  ground  to  powder,'  began  to  revolve,  but  the  predicted 
result  did  not  follow.  Immediately  after  the  division  of 
the  church  this  Presbytery  placed  on  record  its  'unqualiiied 
disapprobation'  of  the  act  by  which  it  was  accomplished, 
and  for  three  years  continued  to  elect  commissioners  to  the 
General  Assembly.  Then  for  twelve  years  it  deemed  it 
vL  inexpedient  to  be  represented  therein,  though  its  connection 
with  the  Synod  of  Genesee  remained  as  cordial  as  ever.    In 


HISTORY  OF  ROCHESTEK  PRESBYTERY.         25 

1852,  coiumissioners  were  again  elected,  and  the  usage  has 
not  since  been  departed  from." 

"  A  deep  interest  has  been  manifested  by  it  to  sustain 
and  carry  forward  the  benevolent  and  reformatory  enter- 
prises of  the  age,  to  improve  the  temporal  condition  of 
men.  It  was  among  the  first  to  set  up  the  banner  of  total 
abstinence  from  all  that  can  intoxicate,  when  whiskey  was 
universally  regarded  as  among  the  first  necessities  of  the 
settler,  and  it  has  continued  to  the  present  day  to  advocate 
and  exemplify  the  scriptural  principles  of  the  beneficent 
temperance  reform.  With  no  uncertain  sound  has  it  from 
time  to  time  proclaimed  the  inalienable  right  of  all  men  to 
'  life,  liberty  and  the  pursuit  of  happiness,'  and  the  wisdom 
and  obligation  of  at  once  breaking  the  chain  of  the  bond- 
man, and  restoring  manhood  to  the  slave.  It  has  occupied 
no  timid  or  time  serving  position  during  the  recent 
rebellion,  and  the  grand,  and  blessed  be  God,  successful 
effort  to  subdue  it,  but  with  unshaken  faith  in  an  ultimate 
triumph  of  freedom  and  righteousness,  even  in  the  darkest 
hour,  in  common  with  every  religious  organization  about 
us,  it  has  rallied  its  sons  around  the  flag,  and  encouraged 
its  daughters  to  sustain  the  nation's  brave  defenders." 

"•  The  Presbytery  of  Ontario  had  its  origin  at  an  auspi- 
cious period.  All  the  vast  enterprises  of  the  church,  which 
are  the  glory  of  our  age,  were  just  beginning  to  engage  the 
thought  and  to  kindle  the  zeal  of  the  '  Sacramental  host  of 
God's  elect.'  They  were  arousing  from  a  long  and  dreary 
night  of  inactivity  and  slumber,  to  make  resistless  onsets 
upon  the  strongholds  of  the  kingdom  of  darkness.  Bible 
and  Missionary  and  Education  and  Tract  and  Temperance 
Societies  were  springing  into  life.  Sabbath-schools  and 
Bible-classes  were  a  novelty,  but  rapidly  growing  in  favor 
and  efficiency.  The  men  who  organized  this  body  were  in 
full  sympathy  with  these  great  movements." 

"  This  Presbytery  has  always  shown  a  special  regard  for 


26  HISTORY   OF    ROCHESTER    PRESBYTERY. 

the  pastoral  office.  Its  ministers  have  remained  longer  with 
the  churches  than  any  other  in  the  region.  Rev.  Dr.  Bar- 
nard was  pastor  of  the  churcli  in  Lima  thirty-eight  years. 
At  the  present  time,  nine  of  its  clmrclies,  all  save  one, 
able  without  aid  to  support  the  institutions  of  the  gospel, 
have  settled  pastors ;  the  one  of  longest  standing,  twenty- 
seven  years,  of  least,  six  years ;  the  whole,  united,  one 
hundred  and  eight  years,  making  the  average  period  of 
settlement  just  twelve  years.  No  other  Presbytery,  it  is 
believed,  can  exhibit  a  similar  record.  In  every  respect  we 
have  derived  great  advantages  from  this  course.  It  has 
increased  our  power  over  tlie  public  mind.  It  has  strength- 
ened all  our  interests." 

In  addition  to  the  historical  sermon  of  Dr.  Page,  from 
which  these  extracts  have  been  taken,  this  memorial  service 
was  rendered  intensely  interesting  by  speeches  from  those 
representing  other  Presbyteries,  churches  and  religious  insti- 
tutions :  Rev.  William  C.  Wisner,  D.  D.,  of  the  Presbytery 
of  Niagara ;  Rev.  Joel  Wakeman,  D.  D.,  of  the  Presbytery 
of  Bath  ;  Rev.  M.  N.  JVIc  Laren,  D.  D.,  and  Rev.  J.  E. 
Nassau,  D.  D.,  of  the  Presbytery  of  Genesee  River  ;  Rev. 
Rev.  C.  F.  Mussey,  D.  D.,  of  the  Presbytery  of  Genesee  ; 
Rev.  Timothy  Stillman,  D.  D.,  of  the  Presbytery  of  Buf- 
falo ;  Rev.  S.  M.  Campbell,  D.  D.,  of  the  Presbytery  of 
Rochester ;  Rev.  Cyrus  Hudson,  of  the  Presbytery  of  St. 
Lawrence ;  Rev.  Henry  Kendall,  D.  D.,  Secretary  of  Home 
Missions;  Rev.  C.  P.  Bush,  D.  D.,  Secretary  of  the  A.  B. 
C.  F.  M. ;  Rev.  Wm.  S.  Mc  Laren,  of  the  U.  P.  Church ; 
Rev.  E.  B.  Walsworth,  D.  D.,  of  California,  and  Rev.  J. 
M.  Fuller,  of  the  M.  E.  Churcli.  Dr.  S.  H.  Gridley,  of  the 
Presbytery  of  Geneva,  contributed  an  important  historical 
paper. 


HISTORY    OF   ROCHESTER    PRESBYTERY.  27 

The  following  liymu  was  composed  for  the  occasion  by 
Dr.  Thomas  Hastings,  of  JSTew  York  : 

"  Smiles  and  tears  full  oft  are  blending 

Mid  the  scenes  of  hallowed  joy  ; 
While  our  sorrows  may  be  tending, 

Bliss  that  nothing  can  alloy. 
Life,  a  priceless  boon,  is  given 

To  be  filled  with  earnest  zeal 
In  preparing  souls  for  Heaven, 

Where  we  hope  ere  long  to  dwell. 

"  Where  are  they,  who,  strong  foundations 

Fifty  years  ago  did  lay  ? 
Gone  from  human  habitations — 

Numbered  with  the  dead  are  theJ^ 
But  they  live  in  realms  of  glory 

Round  our  blest  Redeemer's  throne. 
And  perhaps  to-day's  glad  story 

May  to  them  be  fully  known. 

"What  prosperity  attends  us, 

What  enlargement  fills  our  bounds  ! 
Israel's  Guardian  still  defends  us 

And  his  light  our  path  surrounds. 
Thousands  who  have  gone  before  us 

Ran  with  zeal  the  Heavenly  race 
Tens  of  thousands  joined  in  chorus 

Yet  shall  smg  recovering  grace. 


In  the  work  of  Foreign  Missions  iikimPi'esbjtery  co-oper- 
ated  with    the  A.  B.   C.  F.   M.     In  the  work  of  Home 
\  Missions,  in  addition  to  the  society  formed  within  the  Pres- 

i  bytery,  and   for  the   purpose    of  helping   its   own   feeble 

I      y^       chnrches  by  such  aid  as  might  be  afforded  by  its  own  pas- 
1  tor:XJlLJrliioii  nirfinixnion  knJimnlinnnfljhnTTrtrrmfJf^  tlie  churches 

this  ground  seem,  according  to  Hotchkin's  History,  to 
have  co-operated  with  the  Genesee  Missionary  Society, 
which  was  organized  in  1810,  and  maintained  a  vigorous 
existence  until  1818.  This  same  author  is  our  authority  for 
saying  that  about  one-third  of  all  the  funds  raised  for  this 
\  Society  were  contributed  by  Women's  Missionary  Societies 


tort 
i 
\  on 


28  HISTORY    OF    ROCHESTER    PRESBYTERY. 

as  connected  with  the  different  churclies.     Honorable  men-  / 

tion  is  made  of  contributions  from  the^  societies  at  East  / 

and  West  Bloomiield,  Victor  and  Lima ;  showing  |fl>  that 
the  noble  work  which  atm  Christian  women  are  now  prose- 
cuting is  only  the  resumption  of  work  which  our  mothers 
commenced  in  the  early  settlement  of  the  country. 


FORMER     PRESBYTERY     OF     ROCHESTER. 

At  a  meeting   of  the    Synod   of  Geneva,  held    Feb.  18, 

1819,  the  Presbyteries  of    Ontario  and  Niagara  were  so 

divided  as  to  form  the  new  Presbyteries  of  Rochester  and 

Genesee.     The  boundaries  of  Rochester  Presbytery  w^ere  : 

f~~""  On  the  east  by  the  east  line  of  Pentield  and  Perinton ;  on 

/      the  south  by  the  south  line  of  Perinton,  Pittsford,  Hen. 

/       rietta,  Riga,  Bergen  and  the  Tonawanda  Swamp ;  on  the 

/       west  by  the  west  line  of  Genesee  County  (which  included 

I        Shelby,  Ridgeway  and  Gatesj,  and  on  the  north  by  Lake 

i         Ontario." 

r  This  Presbytery,  in  compliance  with  the  order  of  Synod^ 

held  its  first  meeting  at  Rochesterville,  April  6th,  1819,  in 
/  a  small  wooden  building  on  State  street,  as  is  supposed,  the 
1  same  being  occupied  at  that  time  by  the  First  Church  as  a 
I  house  of  worship,  and  was  opened  with  a  sermon  by  Rev. 

I  John  F.  Bliss,  from  2d  Cor.,  II :  16,  "  To  the  one  we  are  the 
1  savour  of  death  unto  death,  and  to  the  other  the  savour  of 
i        life  unto  life.     And  who  is  sufficient  for  these  things." 

The  Rev.  Comfort  Williams,  pastor  of  the  First  Church, 
was  elected  moderator  and  also  stated  clerk  and  treasurer. 
All  the  ministers  were  present,  viz :  John  F.  Bliss,  Asa 
Carpenter,  Chauncey  Cook,  Alanson  Darwin,  Ebenezer 
Everett  and  Comfort  Williams ;  together  with  Josiah  Pier- 
son,  a  licentiate. 

The  elders  present  were  Levi  Warren,  Penfield ;  Samuel 
Stone,  Pittsford ;  Hubbard  Hall,  West  Riga ;  Oliver  Gibbs, 


HISTORY    OF    ROCHESTER    PRESBYTERY.  29 

Rochester;  Pittman  Wilcox,  Bergen;  Moses  Fulton,  Og- 
den ;  John  Bosworth,  Sweden,  and  Levi  Smith,  Clarkson. 
East  Riga  or  Chili  was  the  only  church  then  belonging  to 
the  body  not  represented. 

The  ministers  subsequently  received  will  be  found  in  the 
statistical  table  which  accompanies  this  sketch. 

Other  churches  have  been  received  into  the  Presbytery 
at  dates  as  follows  : 

Carthage,  April  6,  1819;  Parma,  Jan.  25,  1820;  Barre 
and  Ridgeway,  June  27,  1820;  Shelby,  April  17,  1821; 
Sandy  Creek,  Sept.  11, 1821  ;  Gaines  and  Wheatland,  April 
16,  1822;  Clarendon,  Feb.  4,  1823;  Mendon,  July  1,1823; 
Rush,  Feb.  5,  1829;  Webster,  Sept.  20,  1825;  Rochester 
Brick,  Nov.  18,  1825;  Rochester  Third,  Feb  28,  1827; 
North  Bergen,  June  24,  1828 ;  Brockport,  June  24,  1828 ; 
Parma,  March  4,  1829;  Parma  Corners,  June  29,  1830; 
West  Mendon,  June  28,  1831;  Rochester  Free,  April  19, 
1832;  Churchville,  July  10,  1832;  Bushnell's  Basin,  June 
25,  1843;  Henrietta,  June  27,  1833;  Kendall,  Feb.  4, 
1834;  Rochester  Central,  Aug.  4,  1836;  Rochester  Fifth. 
June  26,  1838;  Charlotte,  June  29,  1852;  Victor,  April  6, 
1858;  Rochester  Westminster,  April  5,  1868. 

The  aforesaid  dates  are  taken  from  the  Statistical  History 
written  by  Louis  Chapin,  Esq.,  and  read  by  him  at  the  Half 
Century  celebration  of  this  Presbytery,  April  7,  1869,  and 
which  was  published^'  together  with  a  poem  by  Rev.  Charles 
TBT^Furman,  L).  D.,  a  historical  discourse  by  the  Rev. 
Charles  P.  Bush,  D.  D.,  and  speeches  by  Rev.  F.  DeW. 
Ward,  D.  D.,  Rev.  M.  N.  McLaren,  D.  D.,  and  Rev.  J.  R. 
Page,  D.  D. 

The  following  extracts  are  taken  from  Mr.  Chapin's 
history : 

"  This  exhibit  shows  that  of  the  forty  churches  that  have 
belonged  to  this  Presbytery,  eighteen  are  now  in  its  con- 
nection, four  have  been  set  off  to  Niagara  Presbytery,  six 


30  HISTOKY    OF    KOCHBSTER    PRESBYTERY. 

belong  to  the  Rochester  City  Presbytery,  three  have  re- 
turned to  Congregational  relations  and  nine  have  been 
disbanded.  *  *  *  ^  *  The  eighteen  churches  now 
connected  with  us  had  at  their  formation  a  total  member- 
ship of  356.     Their  present  total  number  is  3,848. 

"  Of  the  ministers  connected  with  this  Presbytery,  twenty- 
five  are  still  in  it,  twenty-two  have  died  when  members,  one 
hundred  and  thirty-seven  have  been  dismissed,  four  have 
been  stricken  from  the  roll,  two  have  been  set  ofE,  one  has 
been  deposed  and  one  suspended.  Six  are  believed  to  have 
been  dismissed  without  record  being  made  ;  one  hundred 
and  seven  of  the  whole  number  are  believed  to  be  now  liv- 
ing ;  forty-seven  are  known  to  have  died  after  being  dis- 
missed ;  twenty-two  have  not  been  heard  from  lately,  but 
most  of  them  are  believed  to  be  dead. 

'•  Lemuel  Brooks  has  been  connected  with  this  Presby- 
tery  thirty-eight   years,   five  months   and    eighteen   days. 
James  B.  Shaw  has  been  pastor  while  in  it,  twenty-eight 
years,  two  months  and  eighteen  days.     The  average  time 
that  the  one  hundred  and  ninety-eight  ministers  have  been 
in  the  Presbytery  is  six  years,  four  months  and  three  days. 
The  present  twenty-five  members  have  been  connected  with 
it  an  average  of  eleven  years  and  nine  months. 
1         "  At  the  first  meeting  of  the  Presbytery,  conunittees  were 
appointed  to  draft  constitutions  for  a  Yoluntary  Missionary 
\y(l  Society  (home,  in  its  character),  and  for  a  Eeligions  Tract 
Q  Society,  and  the  next  year  an  Education  Society  was  organ- 

ized ;  an  Auxiliary  Foreign  Missionary  Society  and  a  Sab- 
bath School  Union  were  resolved  upon. 
L.  "Among  the  duties  enjoined  on  pastors  were  the  assem- 
bling of  baptized  children  to  insti-uct  them  in  the  cate- 
chism, and  to  visit  the  district  schools,  and  make  efforts  for 
ithe  improvements  of  scholars. 

"  At  times  the  Presbytery  was  not  free  from  disturbing 
elements.  In  1829,  an  overture  on  the  subject  of  Free 
Masonry  was  introduced.      Several  churches  had  become 


HISTORY  OF  ROCHESTER  PRESBYTERY.  31 

agitated  and  well-nigli  sundered.  Pacific  counsels  prevailed 
and  divisions  were  prevented.  Several  of  the  churches 
were  also  disturbed  on  the  doctrine  •bf  Christian  ^)erfection, 
to  such  an  extent  as  led,  in  some  cases,  to  discipline  of  pas- 
tors and  people. " 

"  The  act  of  excision  by  General  Assembly  in  1 837,  caused 
deep  and  lasting  feeling.  Commissioners  to  General 
Assembly  were  appointed  in  1838,  who  went.  I  cannot  say 
how  diligent  search  they  made,  but  on  their  return  they 
reported  '  they  could  not  find  the  General  Assembly.' 
Appointments  were  made  again  in  1839.  In  this  case  the 
appointees  reported  better  success;  they  found  the  new 
school  body.  After  that  this  Presbytery  stood  aloof  from 
connection  with  either  body  till  1854.  In  1850,  they  had  a 
committee  draft  a  petition  to  both  General  Assemblies  to 
reunite.  As  it  did  not  effect  the  desired  object,  several 
attempts  were  made  to  recognize  and  send  commissioners 
to  the  ISTew  School  Assembly.  A  vote  was  taken  in  1852, 
resulting  in  there  being  14  for  to  24  against  sending.  In 
1853,  a  similar  vote  showed  14  for  to  17  against  it.  After 
further  debate  a  second  vote  was  a  tie,  there  being  13  on 
each  side.  In  1854,  the  question  was  disposed  of  by  a  vote 
of  20  for  to  12  against  sending. 

' '  So  far  as  I  have  found  evidence  for  it  there  have  been 
9,774  added  to  the  churches  on  profession ;  and  the  same 
evidence  reports  that  there  has  been  collected  in  our  churches 
for  benevolent  objects  as  follows :  For  Foreign  Missions, 
$107,245;  Flome  Missions,  $57,894;  Educational  Objects, 
$53,617 ;  Publication,  $28,486  ;  General  Assembly  Com- 
missioners' Fund,  $2,111;  Ministerial  Kelief,  $681 ;  Miscel- 
laneous objects  other  than  above,  $132,660  ;  total,  $382,694. 
If  we  had  full  reports  to  comj^are  from,  I  believe  they 
would  show  that  the  total  number  of  additions  to  our 
churches  by  profession  would  exceed  11,000;  and  that  the 
collections  to  various  benevolent  objects  would  appear  to 
have  exceeded  half  a  million  of  dollars.     No  reports  have 


32  HISTORY    OF    ROCHESTER    PRESBYTERY. 

been  asked  for  or  made  of  sustaining  our  o^vn  clmrches 
until  in  1865.  The  footing  of  this  shows  the  amount  for 
five  years  to  have  been  $155,570,  or  an  average  of  $31,570 
per  year  for  sixteen  churches. 

"  The  early  eiforts  of  our  Presbytery  in  behalf  of  various 
benevolent  objects  were  not  limited  in  their  fruits  to  the 
amount  of  money  conti'ibuted.  The  following  named 
persons  who  have  been  connected  with  it,  or  its  churches, 
have  for  a  longer  or  shorter  period  been  employed  as 
Foreign  Missionaries  :  To  the  Sandwich  Islands — as  minis- 
ters, Jonathan  Green,  T.  Dwight  Hunt  and  Soreno  W. 
Bishop ;  as  physician,  Seth  L.  Andrews ;  as  printer,  Edwin 
O.  Hall ;  as  assistants,  Delia  (Stone)  Bishop  and  Fidelia 
(Church)  Coan.  To  India — as  ministers,  Alanson  C.  Hall, 
Ferdinand  DeW.  Ward  and  Henry  Cherry ;  as  printer, 
Elijah  A.  Webster.  To  Syria — as  minister,  Milan  H. 
Hitchcock  ;  as  physician,  Henry  A.  De  Forest ;  as  assistants, 
Caroline  (Sargeant)  De  Foi'est  and  Maria  W.  (Chapin) 
Smith.  To  Singapore — as  minister,  Alfred  North.  To 
Turkey — as  minister,  Joseph  W.  Sutphen  ;  as  assistant, 
Harriet  Seymour.  To  Siam — as  assistant,  Julia  Johnson. 
To  Zulus,  Africa — as  assistant,  Fanny  M.  (Nelson) 
McKinney.  To  Choctaws  — as  minister,  Ebenezer  Bliss. 
To  Mackinaw,  Mich.  — as  printer,  Elisha  Loomis.  Quite 
likely  there  may  be  others  whose  names  I  have  omitted. 
It  is  not  possible  to  state  the  amount  of  labor  that  has  been 
performed  in  the  Home  Missionary  w^ork.  Much  of  the 
labor  of  our  original  members  was  of  that  kind  ;  and  some 
has  been  continued  within  our  bounds  to  this  present  time ; 
while  scores  of  our  older  or  younger  ministers  have  been,  or 
now  are,  in  Home  Missionary  employ  in  this  and  other  states. 

"  In  the  Sabbath  School  cause,  the  Union  organized  in 
1821  was  followed  by  a  Eochester  Union,  organized  in  1822, 
which  has,  with  some  modihcation,  been  continued  in 
existence  to  this  time.  A  County  Union  was  organized  in 
1824,  which  held  annual  meetings  for  many  years,  at  which 


HISTORY    OF    ROCHESTEE    PRESBYTERY.  33 

schools  from  the  villages  and  towns  gathered  in  the  Court 
House  yard,  or  otlier  j)laces,  to  hold  their  exercises.  Their  an- 
nual reports  were  printed  in  pamplilet  form  as  late  as  1834."  / 

The  historical  discourse  of  Dr.  Bush  consisted  mainly  in 
biograpliical  sketches  of  those  who  had  been  quite  promi- 
nent in  the  history  of  the  Presbytery  and  in  the  religious 
history  of  the  city,  from  which  are  gathered  the  following 
facts :     Rev.  Comfort  Williams,  pastor  of  the  First  Churclil 
and  the  first  moderator  and  stated  clerk  of  the  Presbytery,     1 
"  was  the  acknowledged  patriarch  of  the  wilderness."     lie      \ 
was  a  graduate  of  Yale  and  Andover.     He  resigned  his      \ 
charge  of  the  First  Church  in  1821,  and  died  in  Rochester, 
Aug.  26th,  1825. 

Rev.  Solomon  Allen,  a  native  of  I^orthampton,  Mass.,  had 
been  a  Major  in  the  Revolutionary  war,  and  one  of  those 
who  conducted  Andre  to  West  Point.  He  was  not  licensed 
to  preach  until  he  was  fifty-three  years  of  age,  and,  while 
not  a  great  preacher,  was  great  in  consecration,  courage  and 
benevolence,  securing  very  largely  the  confidence  of  the 
people.  He  was  the  father  of  Solomon  Allen,  of  Philadel- 
j)hia,  and  Moses  Allen,  of  New  York.  He  closed  his  labors  in 
Brighton  in  1820,  and  died  Jan.  19, 1821,  in  Xew  York  city. 

Rev.  Josiali  Pierson,  pastor  of  the  church  in  Bergen, 
where  he  died  March  7th,  1816,  is  referred  to  in  the  min- 
utes of  Presbytery,  passed  at  the  time  of  his  death,  as  hav- 
ing "  probably  done  more  than  any  other  minister  of  the 
gospel  in  establishing  churches  and  sustaining  them  in  that 
region.  For  years  when  the  country  was  new,  he  preached 
to  small  congregations  in  school-houses,  barns  and  private 
dwellings,  receiving  but  a  small  salary.  He  counselled  and 
encouraged  professors  of  religion  to  meet  for  worship  ;  aided 
several  small  churches  in  their  organization  ;  preached  for 
them  and  administered  the  ordinances  to  them  occasion- 
ally, until  they  were  able  to  obtain  pastors  for  themselves." 

Rev.  Joseph  Penney,  D.  D.,  the  second  pastor  of  the 
First  Church,  was  educated  at  Trinity  College,  Dublin,  and 


34  HISTORY    OF    ROCHESTER    PRESBYTERY. 

at  Glasgow.  He  was  a  man  of  superior  abilities,  fine  edu- 
cation, with  a  special  interest  in  the  natural  sciences,  and 
very  successful  as  an  educator,  and  zealous  in  the  temper- 
ance reform.  After  leaving  Rochester,  he  was  pastor  of 
the  church  in  Northampton,  Mass.,  and  President  of  Ham- 
ilton College.     He  died  in  Rochester  in  ISfiO. 

Rev.  William  James,  D.  D.,  a  native  of  Albany  and  edu- 
cated at  Princeton  College  and  Seminary,  was  the  first  pas- 
tor of  the  Brick  Church.  He  was  a  diligent  student,  vigor- 
ous thinker  and  elegant  writer.  Having  inherited  wealth 
he  was  noted  for  his  kindness  to  the  poor  and  generosity 
among  his  friends. 

Rev.  William  F.  Curry,  a  native  of  Kentucky,  was 
installed  pastor  of  the  church  at  Pittsford,  July  14,  1825. 
He  was  a  clear  thinker,  a  thorough  Calvinist  and  an  able 
preacher,  helping  to  turn  the  wilderness  into  a  fruitful 
field.     He  died  at  Geneva  in  1861. 

Rev.  Norris  Bull,  D.  D.,  the  champion  of  Orthodoxy  as 
against  Unitarianism  in  Geneseo  from  1822  to  1882,  was 
pastor  at  Clarkson  from  1837  to  1847. 

Rev.  Joel  Parker,  D.  D.,  when  a  young  man  just  from 
the  seminary,  was  instrumental  in  gathering  and  organizing 
the  Third  Church  of  Rochester,  in  1827,  in  which  his  labors 
were  very  signally  blessed  ;  but  after  remaining  with  them 
a  little  more  than  three  years,  he  left,  greatly  to  their  grief, 
to  establish  the  First  Free  Church  of  New  York  City. 

Rev.  Wm.  Wisner,  D.  D.,  after  a  remarkably  successful 
pastorate  of  fifteen  years  at  Ithaca,  N.  Y.,  came  to  the  Brick 
Church  in  1831,  and  labored  with  great  power  for  five 
years. 

Honorable  mention  was  made  of  Dr.  J.  B.  Shaw,  Dr.  F. 
F.  Ellinwood,  Dr.  C.  P.  Wing,  of  Carlisle,  Pa.  ;  Dr.  M.  J. 
Hickok,  of  Scranton,  Pa.  ;  Dr.  J.  H.  McHvane,  of  Prince- 
ton, N.  J. ;  Dr.  A.  W.  Cowles,  of  Elmira  ;  Dr.  Geo.  S. 
Boardman,  of  Rome ;  Dr.  M.  N.  Mc  Laren,  of  Caledonia, 
and  Dr.  A.  G.  Hall,  of  Rochester. 


35 


.    .    .  N 

H     O)     CO  N     I^  XP  ' 

•     -1-  "^  ID  vC    O 
-  CO  C^  c 


'  <^  CO  OO  CO 


JD     f^  ^  IH 


^i'i^lllPllll 


-Xi    I-    1-    in  i- 


<V    J. 

QQ 


T3    S 

5(5 


■q5 


-a  a 

QQ 


8-y 

U     O      !D 

2  o-a 


S^^Ut^Oc^ffi 


oouz; 


^   . .   bjO  u  -a  r*^   ^  .,   ^ 


o 
^   C   rt   rt  1 


"•  i;  u  t«  ^  oj  _'  t"      r^  S  y  <L>  ~  .=  -z;  !^  -^ 


cQ 
o  ^ 

_o  1;; 


•  Da  "^ 
a  ^  «r  bi  t:  -^  ^3  ""  S  7  £  « :3  m  -e 

c)5  w  '75  Q  E  W  ►^►^x  -<  J  A^  ►2..  J  ^£.2;  p  p  ^  m  Z3  ^O  ^ 


-^ 

00  00 

OO 

""  'C  >  P  P.  —  li 
D.  a-  o  J  '_' 

,<  <  ;2i  o  o 


►^^K^ 


36 


Mj2  i 
3    <U    (U 


S-B.: 


-;  IT)      CO     _  oo     .  oo     •     -co     . 

go    3  fe  X  ti(  ^/^  I— >^  t^  _ ,, 


•a  S  Rg- 
.H.!2  S".2 

QQQG 


";j53v:rtC(Urtrt 

iz;  u  m  Z  Iz,  O  O  u  t4 


-  MO 


•a  o 
0§H 


—  o  ^ 

Vl    u     ^ 


"O  -a  i  S  -S    ■  <u  <u 

.-^    C  &    «    2 


O: 


mpq 


cq  dj  •=:  i;  o 


^  m;z;  .r:  bjo  ,; 


O    1> 

-So, 


ja  d  ji^  b«2  t; 


-  ^  5  4^  u  o  c      -  §  S!  • 


S  rt  o. 


2    C    3 


C    n!    rt   rt  —    g    o  .^  «  ^ 


joi^ffiDi;, 


M     M     M     CO   OVgi^   CO     w     o     ST 


^2  mS^-^2^<2 

"2   t-     'HI   1-coco", 


MO       •    C)    HI    i-i    j^ 
.      -CO  I 


„ ,          p  XI 

I— >c/3 1— ,<!  72  <  <;  <  H-,fe  O  H-i&H  c«  Vj  t^ 


u    S    3  43    p    J^  .^ 

■2^  *^  fe  o  fc  s  o 


37 


iriO 


-t     .CO      . 

CO     M     W     u-l 


1-1  K^       1) 


Q.«, 


C    coco    «    "    2 


H    O  O    ...    1- 


^c  5i0 


S    5 


-a  a- 

QP 


T)  a- 

<u    in 


"S  i  rt  c 


c«    ii    >    ii 

«  5  c  o 
•2  o  5;  c 


^^i:iipq 


4-.    (U 


'1  i 


•5  4-.  XI    c    o 

C    C    rv.S  -a 

(J  u  ^   .us 


--'      eg 

PQa„-|i 
'H'2'H  0)"' 

OS   rt   n   b£-o 


'!l^l"^ll 


"..2  .-  i  fe  a  s 

i«  =  -a  c  g  S  ^ 


HH-  3  c5q  ^  K  <  S  5  5  o  Q  5  ffi  w 


u  2  jj^  o 


MOE-'fa^<1UOCQ 


■S   a!   So    !     '.it 

ijU  bxiZ  >  2    - 
^  c'-2    -c'S  2 


•  o 

•  CO 

O)  CO  < 


4  «  o  0 
CO  -;~  CO  CO 


o  00 


2'  ^  Sf  b  ^o  ^-2 


.-?i  5^  4^^  5  c  c 


o- 

ri 

IH 

in 

n 

■I 

H4 

-0" 

>- 

CO 

u 

cf 

« 

0 

01 

d 

u^ 

<> 

0' 

1 

S 

_>, 

c3 

c«^ 

C 

1 

a 

a. 

1 

iol 

a 
0 

kJ   <u   3   u 


■y,  >:lA-.0  -y:  O  ^<  <  Z  x  -.75  ^ 


ei 


,  c 

CO     M 


I,    C    c 


p 

-o   O  -o 


,^Xj  <  CTj  ^  H^O  .^^Ph  5-  O  fc  <  h 


o  -v 


QQ      cJ5Q 


CO    iNvO    c^"    -' 

^ 

'^  vh  >>o  ^  ef 

1-  £* 

mill 

SS 

2-^      b"^ 

A!^      S  S^i 

-a  g-   -a  B' 

'    " 

QQ     QQ 

■5  -^ 


"    g    rt        „   "^Xi    P 


39 


,  «     -  r-  ^"^  O 


5  5  (t:  I 


^^O  to  fe  f^ 


-j    <U    O 

<  t^  mh 


^  o 


.43 
4-.    o 


^  <u   u  5  -^   oj 


b£^^, 


^  c  a, 


-^=  i.i'.si^. 


2    .  H  c 


i^wuo<2&i2oo2aoooSzG<:";5^^u 


UH 


'53  c  -- 


■c^'° 


ti  iT  b^ 


3.1  S 


t3 
1^1    ill      .u 

c  "o  ^r  -^"  —  "^  „•  'i^ 

Islllllllltlilll^ 


el 


^.^^  ^  ^  ^ 


E  S 


S^^ 


13  £ 

ill 


x 

IS' 


1)    2    S3 

r;^  ^  K  ;S  c-  « 


11  oo 


Tj-        JIT  O  '*         t 


rt    w    °    S    S      -  S    5 


U     O    5     (LI     O. 


^  [3h  Afi<  c/2  ^^^o  o  1— .fa  <  pm  i->'-r-  ^^ti-  o  c/3  — >;^ 


CO  oo 


oooooor^cooococoro    ►°'-''2'2 


CO  CO 

o  "t"  ~f 

^  CO  CO  . 


O      ^«      M    i?M 


'^  r^    .vd 


•Q  o  ^ 


-     <L> 


"^  "   u   "   '^'  ° 

2  b  c  b  2.  b  00 


c  a.  c  -^  c 

'   rt    u    rt  ,<"    rt 


q   a;    ^   dj   c«  ,l>   u 


^T3   6   u 

c  .3i  .2  'C 


11    c« 

55, 


'  a ' 
55 


oS<: 


!  t3    (u 


-   -^   o 


i^icrjO 


-  O    3 

o  _-  c 


.2  ° 


1)  g  is 


o'  o  .-S  O  0,0 


r^  -     -SO    . 


g  o.^  .2i 


^  "  ;;^  u  o  tri3  _r( 


o-a>g-J5SS*<y£±joJ  mo"         .  % 


,  1-.  —  J=  >1 


■^  O  .S  Oh  ^  ''^  Ph 

"S  S  ?  -S  3  a.:2 


>  S  =  ' 


<  §  £  ^Q  ^.Q  ^<  -cT^  K  K  O  K  ^  ^c^  ►^►^Q  K 


.^'ti'iLi   ^O      ,coc«   "   ^i:' 


^  r^    -IT)  vrjco   1^  t^  w 
T*     .  CO  CO    M    10  m     . 

CO  o   M   i-<        CO  00   ^ 


3   g  3   rt   rt   I 
X3  ^  ^  c  e  a 


41 


CO  moo  CTj  oo  CO  <^       00  1-1 
u->-ao>H->H"Ma.-      - 

ij-.Z! c-i2-. 

OS 'uS' 


N   CO        .       .     , 
r<2     ^CCCO 


•"^     H  4 


;^^.oA   A 


5     'J^Q 


bb 


Q 


Qc^ 


OMO 


l^U  W 


.5S 

(/■.  ,— . 


Kg 

Pffi 


•g  ^  -d  J2  ^  ^-a 

■^  S  o  1j  <u  o  2 
a  -5  u  >  J^  "o  N 


•a 
\r  o  U  Ij     -, 


«,  2  if  O  g  • 


2  g  w-"^ 


C^  ,5   rt     .  '-^  "aJ  ."   Ji 


<!   C    1)   o 


I  -S  i:-:^  s 


22-  Sh 


x: '?  c 


'S  £  S-f  g 


;>M  V 


.M  c^  <  ^  ^  >^fa  <  <:  Q  ^  >^M  >^<1  << 


-a  o 


a  o  5  u  4J  tj  =  a  u  <u 
I  <  ;z;  ^-.[i,  te  o  <  <  O  Q 


h- 

t^o 

<^S  .s 

,n>0   4        cOa5 

t^ 

!5 

^cn^       co'?, 

^        ^ 

-'     WvD     M 

't 

O 

•     '^^"Sd    /« 

cfo.-- 

•^nS    r.- 

M 

>-'   -1-    . 

►2 

N    _f  CO  4CX3    _     ^ 

>"    1-      _ 

N 

S 

Q 

July  5,  1 8 
October  i 
February 
October  i 
June  25,  I 
Novembei 
February 

1^1 

^  SO 

embe 
embe 
aryg 
mber 

O 

s 

K 

"O 

P   u)    0    en 

5 

w 

S!  ^ 

ft! 

Q 

s 

^  S-a  S 

S  S"   ' 

s 

a .—  .a  .2 

Q 

PQQQ 

QQ 

Q 

•o  2-2^2  el 

C    Ji    aj    as    rt    c    S 

ooo<oSo 


5  :  c' 


OJ    o 


ni     •  ^  -S 


Ji  2  U  1^5  S  C  I 


l-^jqjs   tn   b*C 


si 


z;  o 


SlS^i 


N       .coco     -coco     -(X)C0CO00CX)OO 
COMIICO        -l-CJOiOwCOMI-ll-lf- 


.CO    t^     .CO^     -"i;    u^     -   c?o"  CO     ^     .v,<S«^ 

|j?g^og^co_g_-_^gg>5-|sr^^ 


X^    -  e  c 

■"  C  rt  c3 

^  w  V  B 

^  i:  o  3 


«  ^^ 


V-  C^    CS  U. 

rt  3  n! 

3  (U    1-  3 

C  C-g  O 


cf  fT    - 


'^  1-1    P)    CO 


<;ai 


HISTORY    OF    ROCHESTER    PRESBYTERY.  43 

PRESBYTERY   OF   ROCHESTER   CITY. 

The  Presbytery  of  Koehester  City  was  organized  in  con- 
nection with  the  old  school  branch  of  the  Church  at  Phelps, 
N.  Y.,  Oct.  Tth,  1851,  in  accordance  with  the  action  of  the 
Synod  of  Buffalo,  by  taking  from  the  Presbytery  of  Steuben 
the  following  five  churches  with  their  ministers,  viz  :  First 
of  Vienna,  Seneca  Falls,  First  of  Mentz,  East  Williamson  and 
Conquest ;  also  the  following  four  churches  with  their  min- 
isters from  the  Presbytery  of  Buffalo  City,  viz. :  Rochester 
2d,  Rocliester  3d,  Penfield  and  Webster. 

The  ministers  who  were  present  at  the  organization  of  this 
Presbytery  were  Rev.  Benjamin  B.  Stockton,  Rev.  Albert 
G.  Hall,  D.  D.,  Rev.  Thomas  Bellamy  and  Rev.  George  C. 
Heckman.  Those  who  were  absent  were  Rev.  A.  B.  Van- 
hanizan,  Rev.  Alexander  Mc  Coll  and  Rev.  John  Fisher. 

The  elders  present  were  D.  Sherrell,  from  Vienna  First, 
and  H.  S.  Wier,  from  Seneca  Falls.  The  other  churches 
above  named  were  not  represented. 

The  Rev.  Albert  G.  Hall,  D.  D.,  preached  the  opening 
sermon  from  1st  John,  V:  13 :  '•  These  things  have  I  writ- 
ten unto  you  that  believe  on  the  name  of  the  Son  of  God, 
that  ye  may  know  that  ye  have  eternal  life  and  that  ye  may 
believe  on  the  name  of  the  Son  of  God." 

The  Rev.  Benjamin  B.  Stockton  was  chosen  moderator 
and  the  Rev,  George  C.  Heckman  stated  clerk.  Of  the 
seven  ministers  who  formed  the  Presbytery,  Dr.  Hall  alone 
remained  a  member  to  its  close. 

The  Rev.  B.  B.  Stockton  was  dismissed  to  the  Presbytei-y 
of  New  York,  April  7th,  1858,  after  the  pastoral  relation 
between  himself  and  the  First  Cliurch  of  Vienna  had  been 
dissolved. 

Rev.  Thomas  Bellamy  died  at  Charlotte,  N.  Y.,  April 
31st,  1867. 


44  HISTORY   OF   ROCHESTER    PRESBYTERY, 

Rev.  Geo.  C.  Heckiiian  was  dismissed  to  the  Presbytery 
of  Winnebago,  Nov.  27,  1856,  after  his  pastoral  relation  to 
the  church  at  Port  Byron  had  been  dissolved. 

Rev.  A,  B,  Yanhanizan  was  dismissed  to  the  Classis  of 
Geneva,  Oct.  8,  1862,  together  with  the  church  at  East 
Williamson,  of  which  he  was  the  pastor. 

The  Rev.  Alexander  McColl  was  dismissed  to  the  Pres- 
bytery of  Niagara,  April  25,  1855. 

Rev.  John  Fisher  having  united  with  the  Baptist  denom- 
ination, his  name  was  stricken  from  the  roll,  April  29, 
1852. 

Additions  by  ordination  were  as  follows :  Oct.  7,  1851, 
Edward  Hall,  as  evangelist ;  April,  27,  1853,  Alexander 
McFarland,  and  installed  at  Penfield ;  whose  pastoral  rela- 
tion was  dissolved  Oct.  12th,  1854,  and  he  dismissed  to 
the  Presbytery  of  Whitewater, 

June  21st,  1853,  Dugald  D.  McColl,  and  installed  at 
Wheatland  ;  which  relation  was  dissolved  March  8, 1870,  and 
on  the  17th  of  the  same  month  he  was  installed  at  Phelps. 

March  22,  1866,  E.  Maurice  Wines,  and  installed  at 
Rochester  First ;   which  relation  was  dissolved  July  14, 1868, 

Aug,  1,  1866,  Daniel  R.  Foster,  and  installed  at  Phelps; 
which  relation  was  dissolved  Sept.  22,  1869. 

April  31,  1867,  Gideon  P.  Nichols  as  an  evangelist. 

Nov.  6,  1867.  Charles  W.  Wood  as  an  evangelist,  who 
was  dismissed  to  the  Presbytery  of  Genesee,  Sept.  22,  1869, 

Additions  by  letter  were  as  follows  :  April  29,  1852, 
Rev,  L,  Genstiniani,  D.  D.,  from  the  Lutheran  body ;  and 
dismissed  April  27,  1853,  to  the  Presbytery  of  Cincinnati. 

Oct.  4,  1853,  Rev.  A,  T.  Young,  from  the  Presbytery  of 
Wyoming;  and  dismissed  to  the  Presbytery  of  Watertown, 
April  25,  1860. 

April  26,  1854,  Rev.  Charles  Kittridge,  Rev.  James  Bal- 
lentine.  Rev.  Archibald  Furgerson  and  Rev.  Joshua  H. 
Mcllvane,  D.  D.,  from  the  Presbytery  of  Rochester ;   the 


HISTORY    OF    ROCHESTER     PRESBYTERY.  45 

two  former  came  into  tliis  Presbytery  at  the  time  of  reun- 
ion ;  Rev.  A.  Furgerson  died  as  pastor  of  the  church  at 
Charlotte,  Dec.  20,  1856;  and  Dr.  J.  H.  Mcllvane  was 
released  as  pastor  of  Rochester  First,  Aug.  8,  1860,  and  dis- 
missed to  the  Presbytery  of  New  Brunswick,  Sept.  19,  1860. 

Oct.  4,  1851:,  Rev.  Jacob  Hart,  from  the  Presbytery  of 
Genesee  River,  who  died  at  Fergus,  C.  W.,  'Nov.  26,  1864. 

Sept.  19,  1855,  Rev.  Geo.  W.  Burroughs,  from  the 
Classis  of  Geneva ;  and  was  dismissed  to  the  Presbytery  of 
Baltimore,  April  29,  1857. 

Oct.  11,  1855,  Rev.  Charles  Ray,  from  the  Presbytery  of 
Genesee  River,  who  was  installed  first  pastor  of  Rochester 
Calvary,  Sept.  17,  1856,  and  dismissed  to  the  Genesee  River 
Presbytery,  Oct.  14,  1858. 

April  23,  1856,  Rev.  James  Harkness,  from  the  Presby- 
tery of  North  River  ;  installed  pastor  of  North  State  St. 
Church,  Rochester,  June  11th,  1856,  from  which  he  was 
released  June  29,  1858,  and  soon  after  removed  to  Yonkers, 
but  never  took  a  letter. 

June  10,  1856,  Rev.  R.  H.  Richardson,  from  the  Presby- 
tery of  Chicago,  and  on  the  same  day  installed  pastor  of 
Rochester  St.  Peters,  from  which,  Dec.  11,  1857,  he  was 
released  and  dismissed  to  the  Presbytery  of  Chicago. 

July  16,  1857,  Rev.  A.  P.  Botsford,  from  the  Presbytery 
of  North  River,  and  July  24,  1857,  installed  pastor  at  Port 
Byron,  from  which  he  was  released  April  1,  1861,  and  dis- 
missed to  the  Presbytery  of  New  York,  April  23,  1861. 

Sept.  16,  1857,  Rev.  Joseph  Kimball,  from  the  Associa- 
ted Reform  Presbytery  of  Washington,  N.  Y.,  who  was  dis- 
missed to  the  Classis  of  Poughkeepsie,  Feb.  21,  1863. 

Oct.  18,  1858,  Rev.  Joseph  H.  Towne,  from  Fairfield 
Association,  Connecticut,  and  Oct.  28,  1858,  installed  pastor 
of  St.  Peters,  from  which  he  was  released  April  25,  1860, 
and  dismissed  to  the  Presbytery  of  Buffalo. 

Oct.  28,  1858,  Rev.  James  Nichols  from  the  Presbytery 


46  HISTORY    OF    ROCHESTER    PRESBYTERY. 

of  Genesee  River.  He  died  January  31,  1864 ;  to  whom  in 
the  minute  whicli  was  adopted  in  view  of  his  death,  Pres- 
bytery refers,  as  having  "  been  peculiarly  useful  in  the 
organization  of  three  new  churches  in  Oneida,  in  the  teach- 
ing of  youth  in  the  Geneseo  Academy,  and  his  own  school 
in  Rochester,  and  as  chaplain  of  the  "Western  House  of 
Refuge   in  Rochester." 

March,  1859,  Rev.  George  Patton,  from  the  Associate 
Reformed  Body,  together  with  the  church  at  Seneca,  of  which 
he  was  pastor  and  which  had  belonged  to  the  Associate 
Reformed  Body.  He  remained  pastor  of  the  same  to  the 
time  of  reunion. 

April  27,  1859,  Rev.  E.  C.  Prichett,  from  the  Presbytery 
of  Geneva ;  installed  pastor  of  the  Westminster  Church, 
Geneva,  May  3,  1 859,  from  which  he  was  released  April  25, 
1860,  and  dismissed  to  the  Presbytery  of  Utica,  April  25, 
1866. 

April  27,  1859,  Rev.  W.  S.  Parsons,  from  Luzerne  Pres- 
bytery, who  was  dismissed  to  the  Presbytery  of  Lewis,  Pa., 
Oct.  2,  1861. 

Aug.  16,  1859,  Rev.  Isaiah  Paries,  from  Associate 
Reformed  Presbytery  of  Big  Spring,  Pa.,  and  installed  pas- 
tor of  the  church  at  Phelps,  from  which  he  was  released 
April  26,  1865,  and  dismissed  to  the  Presbytery  of  Albany. 

Oct.  15, 1859,  Rev.  Lemuel  Leonard,  from  the  Presby- 
tery of  Genesee  River,  who  was  dismissed  to  the  Presbytery 
of  Michigan,  August  17,  1860. 

August  8,  1860,  Rev.  J.  T.  Coit,  from  the  Presbytery  of 
Niagara,  and  installed  pastor  of  Rochester  St.  Peters,  who 
suddenly  died  Feb. -1863,  greatly  beloved  and  sincerely 
lamented  both  by  his  church  and  the  Presbytery. 

June  18,  1861,  Rev.  Edwin  B.  VanAuken,  from  the 
Presbytery  of  Cayuga,  who  was  dismissed  to  the  Presbytery 
of  Rochester,  April  29,  1863. 

June  18, 1861,  Rev.  Belville  Roberts  from  the  Presbytery 


HISTORY   OF   ROCHESTER    PRESBYTERY.  47 

of  Troy;  installed  pastor  of  Eochester  Calvary,  Oct.  2, 1861, 
from  wliich  lie  was  released  June  31.  1865,  and  dismissed  to 
the  Presbytery  of  Rock  River. 

July  31, 1861,  Rev.  Timothy  PI.  Quigley,  from  the  Presby- 
tery of  Genesee,  who  was  dismissed  to  the  Presbytery  of 
Genesee  Valley,  April  28,  1869. 

Feb.  11,  1862,  Rev.  Frankhn  D.  Harris,  from  the  Pres- 
bytery of  Philadelphia,  and  installed  pastor  at  Port  Byron  ; 
from  which  he  was  released  April  25,  1866,  and  dismissed 
to  the  Second  Presbytery  of  Philadelphia,  iSept.  19,  1866. 

May  13,  1862,  Rev.  Calvin  Pease,  D.  D.,  from  the 
Winooskie  Association,  and  installed  pastor  of  Rochester 
First.  He  died  Sept.  -,  1863,  respecting  which,  Presb}i;ery 
passed  appropriate  resolutions. 

April  29,  1803,  Rev.  Hiram  Harris,  from  the  Presbytery 
of  Cayuga,  who  was  dismissed  to  the  Presbytery  of  Geneva, 
March  22,  1866. 

Aug.  22,  1S63,  Rev.  Edwin  D.  Yeomans,  D.  D.,  from 
the  Presbytery  of  New  Brunswick  ;  installed  pastor  of 
Rochester  St.  Peters,  Nov.  9,  1863,  from  which  he  was 
released  April  31,  1867,  and  dismissed  to  the  Presbytery 
of  Passaic. 

April  27,  1864,  Rev.  George  McCartney,  from  the  Clas- 
sis  of  Saratoga,  and  installed  at  Webster,  June  7,  1864. 

Dec.  6, 1864,  Rev.  Silas  R.  Beadle,  D.  D.,  from  the  Pres- 
bytery of  Connecticut,  and  dismissed  to  the  Central  Presby- 
tery of  Philadelphia,  Oct.  5,  1865. 

Dec.  6,  1864,  Rev.  John  W.  Major,  from  the  Classis  of 
Saratoga. 

Sept.  20,  1865,  Rev.  Alfred  Yeomans,  from  the  Presby- 
tery of  Raritan,  and  dismissed  to  the  Presbytery  of  Hunt- 
ington, January  2,  1867. 

April  31,  1867,  Rev.  Herbert  W.  Morris,  from  the  Pres- 
bytery of  Albany,  and  installed  pastor  of  Rochester  Calvary, 
June  9,  1867. 


48  HISTORY    OF    ROCHESTER   PRESBYTERY. 

April  29,  1868,  Rev.  ^Ym.  D.  Woodruff,  from  the  Bap- 
tist denomination. 

April  28,  1869,  Eev.  Oliver  P.  Conklin,  from  the  Presby- 
tery of  Cortland. 

Sept.  22,  1869,  Rev.  James  M.  Crowell,  D.  D.,  from  the 
Presbytery  of  Philadelphia,  who  soon  after  was  installed 
pastor  of  Rochester  St.  Peters. 

From  the  previous  list  it  appears  that  this  Presbytery 
consisted  of  seven  original  members,  seven  added  by  ordi- 
nation and  thirty-six  by  letter,  making  a  total  of  fifty  during 
the  nineteen  years  of  its  existence,  of  whom  six  died, 
twenty-seven  were  dismissed,  and  one  was  stricken  from  the 
roll. 

The  original  nine  churches  have  already  been  named,  to 
which  the  following  ten,  from  time  to  time,  were  added, 
making  a  total  of  nineteen. 

April  27,  1853,  the  church  at  Wheatland,  from  the  Pres- 
bytery of  Rochester. 

Oct.  4,  1853,  East  Bethany,  from  the  Presljytery  of 
Wyoming. 

December  13,  1853,  Rochester  St.  Peters  was  organized. 

April  26,  1854,  the  First  Church  of  Rochester  and  the 
church  of  Parma  and  Greece  were  received  from  the  Pres- 
bytery of  Rochester. 

October  4,  1854,  the  North  State  St.  Church  of  Roches- 
ter, which  had  been  organized  by  a  connnittee  of  Presbytery. 

April  25,  1855,  the  church  at  Charlotte  from  the  Presby- 
tery of  Rochester. 

June  15,  1856,  Rochester  Calvary  organized  by  a  com- 
mittee of  Presbytery. 

March  -,  1859,  the  church  at  Seneca,  from  the  Associate 
Reformed  Church. 

April  27,  1859,  Westminster  Church,  Geneva,  organized 
by  a  connnittee  of  Presbytery. 


HISTORY    OF    ROCHESTER    PRESBYTERY.  40 

Of  these  nineteen  churches,  four  transferred  their  rela- 
tions to  other  bodies  and  three  were  dissolved  as  follows  : 

April  26,  1854,  Eochester  Second  was  reported  as  having; 
placed  itself  under  the  care  of  the  Classis  of  Geneva,  and 
was  stricken  from  the  roll. 

April  29, 1857,  Penfield  asked  leave  to  withdraw,  in  order 
to  unite  with  the  Eochester  Presbytery,  which  was  granted. 
Also,  at  the  same  date,  Seneca  Falls  informed  Presbytery 
that  they  had  taken  measures  to  connect  themselves  with 
the  Presbytery  of  Geneva  (N.  S.),  and  the  name  was  stricken 
from  the  roll. 

Oct.  8,  1862,  the  church  at  East  Williamson  asked  leave 
to  withdraw,  in  order  to  place  themselves  under  the  care  of 
the  Classis  of  Geneva,  which  was  granted. 

April  23,  1861,  the  church  at  West  Greece,  which  had 
been  received  from  the  Presbytery  of  Eochester,  April  26, 
1854,  as  the  church  of  "  Parma  and  Greece,"  was  stricken 
from  the  roll,  "  the  church  organization  having  been 
dissolved." 

The  name  of  the  North  State  St,  Church,  of  Eochester, 
which  was  organized  in  1854,  appears  for  the  last  time 
on  the  Statistical  Eeport  of  the  year  1860,  with  no  mem- 
bers ;  but  no  record  was  made  of  its  dissolution. 

The  church  at  Conquest  is  reported  in  1859,  for  the  last 
time,  as  vacant,  and  having  eighteen  members,  but  no  action 
is  found  in  regard  to  its  dissolution. 

There  have  been  eight  licensures,  as  follows  : 

April   28,  1852,  Charles   Eay ;    April   7,  1858,  Eobert 

Proctor  ;    Feb.  8,  1859,  George  Button  and  Charles  Eussell 

Clarke  ;  April  25,  1860,  Matthew  L.  E.  P.  Hill ;  May  31, 

1865,  Gavin  Longmuir  ;  April  25,  1866,  Charles  W.  Wood. 

Six  stated  clerks  were  elected  at  the  following  succes- 
sive dates  : 

Oct.  7,  1851,  Eev.  George  C.  Heckman  ;  Nov.  27,  1856, 
Eev.  Charles  Eay ;  April  27,  1859,  Eev.  A.  P.  Bottsford  ; 


50  HISTORY    OF    ROCHESTER    PRESBYTERY. 

April  23,  1861,  Rev.  Dugald  D.  McColl  ;  April  27,  1864, 
Rev.  Edwin  D.  Yeomans,  D.  D.  ;  April  31,  1867,  Rev. 
Albert  G.  Hall,  D.  D. 

According  to  the  records,  the  Presbytery,  at  the  close  of 
its  existence,  consisted  of  sixteen  ministers  and  twelve 
churches. 


GENESEE    RIVER   PRESBYTERY. 

[The  subjoined  sketch  has  been  furnished  by  Rev.  J.  E.  Nassau, 
D.  D.,  of  Warsaw,  N.  Y.,  who,  as  stated  clerk  of  the  Presbytery 
of  Genesee,  has  in  his  possession  the  records  of  the  Presbytery  of 
Genesee  River.] 

The  Synod  of  New  Jersey,  in  session  at  Morristown,  N.  J., 
October,  1838,  in  response  to  overture,  erected  the 
Presbytery  of  Caledonia  in  Western  New  York,  in  con- 
nection with  the  (O.  S.)  General  Assembly. 

The  Presbytery  of  Caledonia,  having  grown  to  very  wide 
bounds,  was,  by  their  own  request,  divided  by  the  Synod  of 
New  Jersey,  in  session  at  Elizabethtown,  Oct.  19,  18-42,  into 
the  two  Presbyteries  of  Steuben  and  Wyoming  ;  the  Gen- 
esee River  to  be  the  dividing  line  between  them,  and  the 
Presbytery  of  Steuben  to  retain  the  records  and  other 
papers  of  the  Presbytery  of  Caledonia. 

In  August,  1844,  the  (O.  S.)  Synod  of  Buffalo,  created 
by  the  General  Assembly  out  of  the  three  Presbyteries  of 
Steuben,  Wyoming  and  Ogdensburg,  met  in  Buffalo.  Soon 
after  the  new  Presbytery  of  Buffalo  City  was  erected  by 
Synod,  taking  those  ministers  and  churches  in  and  around 
Buffalo,  that  had  belonged  to  the  Pi-esbytery  of  Wyoming. 

All  these  Presbyteries  grew  and  changed  in  ministers  and 
churches  until  1851,  when  the  Synod  of  Buffalo,  having  met 
August  21st,  in  Yienna,  made  some  further  Presbyterial 
changes,  which  weakened  the  Presbyteries  of  Wyoming  and 
Steuben,  so  that  in  response  to  overture  from  these  two 
Presbyteries,  the  Synod,  in  its  session  in  Bath,  N.  Y., 
August,  1853,  "  Resolved^  that  the  request  of  the  petitioners 


HISTORY    OF    ROCIIKSTER    PRESBYTERY.  51 

be  granted  ;  that  tlie  new  Presl)ytery  extend  over  the  ground 
occupied  by  the  two  above  named  Presbyteries ;  that  the 
new  Presbytery  hold  its  first  annual  meeting  on  tlie  last 
Tuesday  of  September  next,  at  two  o'clock  P.  M.,  at  War- 
saw, and  be  opened  with  a  sermon  by  the  oldest  clergyman 
present,  and  that  the  Presbytery  assume  the  name  of  the 
Presbytery  of  Genesee  River." 

The  Presbytery  thus  organized  met  according  to  appoint- 
ment in  the  Presbyterian  church  of  Warsaw,  N.  Y. ,  Sep- 
tember 27tli,  1853,  at  two  o'clock  p.  m.,  and  was  opened 
with  a  sermon  by  Rev.  Thomas  Aitken,  (text  not  given). 

Rev.  Thomas  Aitken  presided  at  the  organization  and 
was  then  chosen  moderator,  with  the  Rev.  George  D. 
Stewart,  stated  clerk. 

The  roll  of  ministers  and  churches,  including  those  present 
and  the  absentees,  shows  : 

MINISTERS. 

Isaac  Oakes,  Stewart  Mitchell, 

Thomas  Aitken,  Jacob  Hunt, 

Lemuel  Leonard,  Daniel  Harrower, 

Jesse  Edwards,  Moses  Miller, 

H.  L.  Doolittle,  J.  W.  McDonald, 

J.  Edwin  Miller,  Smith  Sturges, 

George  D.  Stewart,  L.  R.  Lockwood, 

Charles  Ray,  James  Nichols, 
J.  K.  Correnger. 

CHURCHES. 

Bath,  Peter  Halsey,  Elder.  Lindley,  unrepresented. 

Groveland,  Peter  Titsworth.  Cameron,  " 

Oaklami,  George  Arnold.  Second  Sparta,  " 

Caledonia,  Alexander  Frazer.  Portageville,  " 

Warsaw,  Luther  Foster.  Wyoming, 

First  Sparta,  W  m.  W .  McNair.  Moscow,  " 

Tuscarora,  James  Conklin.  Scottsville,  " 


52  HISTORY    OF    ROCHESTER    PRESBYTERY. 

Rev.  George  D.  Stewart  remained  stated  clerk  until  his 
removal  west  in  1859.  At  the  meeting  in  Second  Sparta 
Church,  April  26,  1859,  Rev.  Joseph  E.  Nassau  was  chosen 
Mr.  Stewart's  successor,  and  has  continued  stated  clerk  of 
Genesee  River  Presbytery  until  the  reconstruction  of  1870, 
and  since  then  of  Genesee  Presbytery,  thirty  years  next 
month. 

The  statistical  report  of  Presbytery,  May  9,  1854,  gives 
16  ministers,  13  churches  and  2  candidates  ;  the  churches 
being  the  same  as  those  just  given,  except  that  Cameron 
and  Lindley  seem  to  be  regarded  as  one,  (extinct  in  1855) ; 
the  ministers  the  same  as  above  given,  except  changes  made 
by  the  death  of  Rev.  Daniel  Harrower  and  the  accession  of 
Rev.  John  J.  Carroll,  Rev.  Pliny  Twitchell  and  Rev.  John 
W.  Major. 

The  number  of  members  given  in  the  statistical  report  is 
1,058.  At  the  reconstruction  (in  April,  1870,)  the  total 
membership  was  1,420. 

March  7,  1855,  licentiate  John  Jones  was  ordained  and 
installed  at  Scottsville. 

October  24,  1855,  licentiate  Josej)h  E.  Nassau  was 
ordained  and  installed  pastor  at  Warsaw. 

October  15,  1856,  Rev.  F.  De  W.  Ward  was  received 
from  the  Presbytery  of  Ontario. 

April  28,  1857,  Rev.  W.  P.  Jackson  was  received  from 
the  Presbytery  of  Michigan,  and  Rev.  Wm.  E.  Jones  from 
the  Presbytery  of  Troy. 

April  29,  1857,  Rev.  James  M.  Harlow  from  the  Pres- 
bytery of  Buffalo  City, 

September  23,  1857,  Rev.  W.  N.  Hall  from  tlie  Congre- 
gational Association  of  Hampton  East,  Mass. 

February  16,  1859,  Rev.  Charles  Ray  from  the  Pres- 
bytery of  Rochester  City. 

January  5,  1860,  (Rev.)  licentiate  Henry  B.  Thayer 
ordained  and  installed  pastor  of  Presbyterian  church  of 
Oakland. 


HISTORY    OF    ROCHESTER    PRESBYTERY.  53 

November  13,  1860,  Kev.  Dr.  Malcolm  N.  McLaren 
received  from  the  Reformed  Dutch  Classis  of  Orange  and 
the  same  day  installed  at  Caledonia. 

Angust  16th,  1861,  Rev.  E.  W.  Kellogg  from  the  Pres 
bytery  of  Buffalo  City,  and  Rev„  B.  Coleman  Smith  from 
the  Presbytery  of  Bath. 

March  11,  1862,  Rev.  Henry  Neill  from  the  Presbytery 
of  Michigan. 

June  14,  1864,  (Rev.)  licentiate  J.  S.  Bingham  ordained 
and  installed  at  Portageville. 

April  25,  1865,  Rev.  Henry  L.  Doolittle  from  the  Pres- 
bytery of  Washington. 

October  6,  1865,  Rev.  R.  W.  McCormick  from  the  Pres- 
bytery of  Susquehanna. 

April  24,  1866,  Rev.  Ephraim  S.  Wilson  from  the  Pres- 
bytery of  Vincennes  ;  he  went  over  to  the  Episcopal  church 
that  autumn  and  his  name  was  dropped. 

October  10,  1866,  Rev.  Charles  W.  Maccarthey  from  the 
Presbytery  of  Genesee. 

July  22,  1867,  (Rev.)  licentiate  John  Butler  was  ordained 
as  evangelist  to  the  foreign  field  (China). 

October  28,  1868,  licentiate  Thomas  Dobbin  ordained  to 
the  ministry  and  installed  pastor  at  Groveland,  June  16,  1869. 

September  28,  1869,  Rev.  James  M.  Piatt,  received  from 
the  Presbytery  of  Alleghany  City,  and  installed  at  Bath, 
November  4,  1869. 

From  the  above  sketch  of  Dr.  Nassau  we  deduce  the  fol- 
lowing summary : 

Original  members,  seventeen ;  subsequently  added  by 
ordination,  six  ;  by  letter,  eighteen  ;  total,  forty-one  ;  number 
of  installations,  seven  ;  number  of  churches,  fourteen. 

This  Presbytery  existed  for  seventeen  years,  and  at  the 
time  of  reconstruction,  took  its  legal  succession  in  the  Pres- 
bytery of  Genesee,  although  about  half  of  its  ministers  and 
churches,  those  within  the  bounds  of  Livingston  County, 
were  incorporated  with  the  Presbytery  of  Rochester. 


54  HISTORY    OF    ROCHESTER     PRESBYTERY. 


PRESENT  PRESBYTERY  OF  ROCHESTER.* 


The  General  Assembly  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  being 
convened  in  the  City  of  Philadelphia,  Pa.,  in  the  month  of 
May,  A.  D.  1870,  the  same  being  the  first  meeting  of  the 
re-united  body  of  what  had  been  known  for  thirty-two 
years  as  the  New  and  Old  School  branches  of  the  Presby- 
terian Church,  in  the  reconstruction  of  its  Synods  through- 
out the  country,  defined  the  Synod  of  Genesee  as  including 
all  that  portion  of  the  State  of  New  York  west  of  the 
eastern  boundaries  of  the  Counties  of  Monroe,  Livingston 
and  Alleghany.  Said  Synod  met  as  directed  by  the 
Assembly,  in  the  Central  Presbyterian  Church  of  Bufl^alo, 
on  the  28th  day  of  Jime  following,  and  immediately 
changed  its  name  to  that  of  Western  New  York.  At  this 
first  meeting  the  present  Presbytery  of  Kochester  was 
formed,  to  include  all  the  ministers  and  churches  within  the 
bounds  of  Livingston  and  Monroe  Counties,  and  to  be  the 
legal  successor  of  the  former  Presbyteries  of  Eochester 
City,  Rochester  and  Ontario. 

Said  Presbytery  immediately  met  at  the  call  of  one  of 
their  number  who  had  been  appointed  by  the  Synod  for  that 
purpose,  in  the  Central  Church  of  Buffalo  on  the  29th  day 
of  May,  1870,  and  after  electing  Rev.  Levi  Parsons  as 
moderator,  and  Rev.  J.  Jones  as  temporary  clerk, 
adjourned  to  meet  in  the  Central  Presbyterian  Church  of 
Rochester,  on  the  13th  of  September  following. 

With  reference  to  the  three  Presbyteries  to  which  this 
was  made  the  legal  successor,  inasmuch  as  it  contained  a 

*  This  part  of  tlic  iiistdrv  was  rcpdrtod  to  Picslivtciv  April  111.  IHSS,  and 
lia\  iiifi  iiic-r  llicappr(i\al  <it'  the  tiodv,  was  onlcrfd  to  \<v  printed.  l!ut  its  piib- 
lifatidii  iias  heeii  di  la.\fd  until  iK-rruilifr,  !ss<»,  in  order  that  the  liistories  of 
the  I'uimcr  rrcsbyterics,  and  ol'  the  iniiivitliial  cliuiehes,  might  iiccompauy  it. 


HISTORY   OF   ROCHESTER    PRESBYTERY.  55 

very  large  proportion  of  their  ministers  and  cliurclies,  that 
of  Ontario  which  was  New  School,  and  which,  with  the 
exception  of  the  churches  at  Perry  and  South  Bristol,  was 
entirely  within  the  county  of  Livingston,  was  the  oldest ; 
having  been  formed  by  the  Synod  of  Geneva  at  its  session 
in  the  village  of  Geneva,  Feb.  19th,  1817. 

The  following  are  the  names  of  the  ministers  from  Onta- 
rio Presbytery,  who  helped  to  constitute  this  Presbytery  of 
Rochester : 

Justus  S.  Hough,  John  Barnard,  D.  D., 

Isaac  N.  Sprague,  D.  D.,  Milton  Buttolph, 

William  Hunter,  Joseph  R.  Page, 

Luther  Conklin,  Herman  E".  Barnum, 

Orson  P.  Allen,  Lucius  D.  Cliapin, 

Levi  Parsons,  Henry  M.  Hazeltine, 

Samuel  Jessup,  Alphonso  L.  Benton, 

Levi  G.  Marsh,  Willis  Clark  Gaylord, 

Alvin  Baker,  Joseph  L.  Whiting, 
Isaac  IST.  Lowrie, 

Nineteen  in  all,  four  of  whom,  Allen,  Barnum,  Lowrie  and 
Whiting,  were  Foreign  Missionaries. 

Edward  G.  Bickford  was  a  licentiate. 

The  following  twelve  churches,  with  an  aggregate  of 
1,562  members,  were  also  from  the  same  Presbytery : 
Avon,  Avon  Springs,  Dansville,  Geneseo  First,  Geneseo 
Village  First,  Lima,  Livonia,  Mount  Morris,  Nunda,  Ossian, 
Springwater  and  Union  Corners. 

The  former  Presbytery  of  Rochester  was  formed  by  the 
Synod  of  Geneva,  Feb.  18,  1819,  that  is,  two  years  after 
that  of  Ontario,  by  taking  a  part  from  Ontario  and  a  part 
from  Niagara.  This  Presbytery,  with  the  exceptions  of 
Victor  and  Bergen,  had  been  restricted  to  the  County  of 
Monroe. 


56  HISTORY    OF   EOCHESTEE    PEESBYTEEY. 

The  names  of  the  ministers  coming  into  the  new  Presby- 
tery were : 

Hezekiah  B.  Pierpont,  Lemuel  Brooks, 

Charles  E.  Furman,  D.  D.,  James  B.  Shaw,  D.  D., 

Kobert  McMath,  Nathaniel  Elmer, 

Austin  G.  Wilcox,  Samuel  M.  Campbell,  D.  D., 

"William  B.  Stewart,  Dwiglit  Scovel, 

Alexander  Mc  A.  Thorburn,  Samuel  A.  Freeman, 

Edwin  B.  Van  Auken,  Gavin  L.  Hamilton, 

Henry  M.  Morey,  John  E.  Baker, 
Charles  P.  Bush,  D.  D., 

Seventeen  in  all,  together  with  David  Dickey  and  Elisha 
M.  Carpenter  as  licentiates. 

Also,  from  the  same  Presbytery,  the  following  fourteen 
churches :  Brockport,  Chili,  Clarkson,  Gates,  Mendon, 
Ogden,  Parma  Centre,  Penfield,  Pittsford,  Rochester  Brick, 
Rochester  Central,  Rochester  AVestminster,  Sweden  and 
West  Mendon,  now  Honeoye  Falls,  with  members  num- 
bering, in  the  aggregate,  3,262. 

The  other  Presbytery,  that  of  "  Rochester  City,"  which, 
as  already  stated,  had  been  organized  in  connection  with 
the  Old  School  Assembly  at  Phelps,  N.  Y.,  October  T,  1851, 
contributed  seven  of  its  sixteen  ministers  to  form  the  new 
Presbytery,  whose  names  are  as  follows  : 

Albert  G.  Hall,  D.  D.,  Charles  Kittridge,  Oliver  P. 
Conklin,  George  McCartney,  James  Ballentine,  Herbert 
W.  Morris  and  James  M.  Crowell,  D.  D.;  also  the  following 
seven  of  its  twelve  churches  with  members  numbering,  in 
the  aggregate,  1,637,  viz  : 

Rochester  First,  Rochester  Third,  Rochester  St.  Peters. 
Rochester  Calvary,  Charlotte,  Webster  and  Wheatland. 

There  was,  as  has  already  been  stated,  a  fourth  Presby- 
tery, that  of  "  Genesee  River,"  which  had  been  connected 


HISTORY    OF    KOCHE8TEK    PRESBYTERY. 


57 


with  the  Old  School  Assembly  and  wliich  took  the  Presby- 
tery of  Genesee  as  its  legal  successor,  which  at  this  time 
contributed  to  the  new  Presbytery  the  following  eight 
ministers  :  Isaac  Oakes,  Malcolm  N.  McLaren,  D.  D., 
Thomas  Aitken,  Ferdinand  De  W.  Ward,  D.  D.,  Wash- 
ington D.  McKinley,  A¥illiam  E.  Jones,  John  Jones  and 
Thomas  Dobbin  ;  also  the  following  eight  churches  with  an 
aggregate  of  members  of  about  753  :  Caledonia,  Geneseo 
Central,  Groveland,  Moscow,  Oakland,  Sparta  First,  Sparta 
Second  and  Tuscarora.  To  these  may  be  added  the  Rev. 
Geo.  W.  Lane,  of  Moscow,  who  at  that  time  was  a  mendjer 
of  the  Presbytery  of  Buffalo  City. 

The  new  Presbytery  at  the  time  of  its  organization  con- 
sisted of  52  ministers  of  whom  17  were  pastors,  16  stated 
supplies,  4  foreign  missionaries,  2  secretaries,  2  teachers 
and  11  without  charge  ;  also  3  licentiates,  41  churches  and 
7,214  communicants. 

Since  that  time  the  names  of  107  ministers  have  been 
added  to  our  roll,  making  a  total  of  157.  Of  these  107 
seventeen  were  received  by  ordination  and  the  remaining 
ninety  by  letter  from  other  bodies.  Of  the  seventeen  who 
were  ordained  eight  were  installed  over  churches  as  follows  : 

June  4,  1873,  Rev.  George  K.  Ward  at  Dansville. 

July  30,  1874,  Rev.  Fisher  Gutelius  at  Moscow. 

October  8,  1874,  Rev.  George  C.  Jewel  at  Parma  Centre. 

November  10,  1874,  Rev.  John  K.  Fowler  at  Caledonia. 

May  25,  1875,  Rev.  Lewis  H.  Morey  at  Pittsford. 

October  12,  1885,  Rev.  Gerard  B.  F.  Hallock  at  Wheat- 
land. 

September  30,  1886,  Rev.  Robert  Kerr  Wick  at  Sparta 

First  and  Second. 

May  25,  1887,  Rev.  Bevard  D.  Sinclair  at  Fowlerville. 
The  other  nine  were  ordained  "  sine  titulo,"  as  follows  : 
June  12,  1878,  Rev.  Eneas  McLean  and  Rev.  James  W. 

White  at  the  Central  Church,  Rochester. 


58  HISTORY    OF    KOCHESTEK    PRESBYTERY. 

October  29,  1878,  Eev.  John  P.  Campbell  at  Caledonia. 

June  18,  1883,  Kev.  Theodore  S.  Day  at  Kochester  First. 

October  2,  1883,  Kev.  Evan  E.  Evans  at  North  Sparta. 

JSTovember  15,  1883,  Rev.  Theodore  W.  McNair  at  South 
Sparta. 

September  29,  1855,  Rev.  Frank  P.  Gilman  at  North 
Sparta. 

May  23,  1887,  Rev.  Albert  S.  Bacon  at  Victor. 

Three  of  the  aforesaid  were  ordained  with  special  refer- 
ence to  the  foreign  work,  viz  :  Rev.  Eneas  McLean  who 
went  to  South  America,  Rev.  Theodore  W.  McNair  who 
went  to  Japan,  and  Rev.  Frank  P.  Gilman  who  went  to 
China.  These  added  to  the  four  already  named  have  made 
seven  of  our  number  who  have  labored  on  the  foreign  field, 
to  which  we  may  add  two  others.  Rev.  F.  De  W.  Ward,  D. 
D.,  and  Rev.  T.  Dwight  Hunt,  now  belonging  to  this  body, 
who  were  foreign  missionaries  prior  to  the  formation  of 
this  Presbytery. 

In  addition  to  the  original  17  pastoral  relations  and  the 
8  which  have  been  already  named  in  connection  with 
ordination,  there  have  been  33  others  constituted,  making 
58  in  all ;  of  these  three  have  been  terminated  l)y  the  death 
of  the  incumbents,  thirty-seven  by  action  of  Presbytery, 
while  eigliteen  still  remain. 

Upon  the  roll  of  licentiates  30  names  have  been  added  to 
the  original  3,  making  33  in  all.  Of  these  six  have  been 
received  by  letter  from  other  Presbyteries,  the  remaining 
twenty-four  have  been  examined  and  licensed  by  this  body. 

Sixteen  of  our  licentiates  have  been  ordained  by  this 
body,  fourteen  have  been  dismissed  to  other  Presbyteries, 
one  has  died  and  two  still  remain  upon  our  list. 

Since  its  organization  this  Presbytery  has  received  nine- 
teen candidates  for  the  gospel  ministry,  nine  of  whom  have 
subsequently  been  licensed,  one  has  turned  to  other  avoca- 
tions and  nine  are  still  pursuing  their  preparatory  studies. 


HISTORY   OF    ROCHESTER    PRESBYTERY.  59 

In  making  the  statement  that  at  the  time  of  its  organiza- 
tion this  Presbytery  consisted  of  41  churches,  there  was  a 
slight  chronological  inaccuracy  made  for  the  purpose  of 
crediting  the  church  at  Tuscarora  to  the  Presbytery  of 
Genesee  Kiver  and  that  at  Union  Corners  to  that  of  Ontario, 
but  as  matter  of  fact  these  churches  after  the  re-union  of 
the  two  assemblies  at  Pittsburgh  and  prior  to  the  formation 
of  this  Presbytery  had  effected  a  union  and  thus  came  into 
this  body  as  one  church,  making  the  number  40.  This 
union,  however,  proved  to  be  unhappy  and  the  same  was 
dissolved  by  act  of  Presbytery  in  the  fall  of  1873,  since 
which  time  the  two  churches  have  appeared  separately  upon 
our  roll. 

On  the  19th  of  October,  1870,  the  church  of  Brighton, 
which  before  had  been  Congregational,  was  received  by  tliis 
Presbytery,  it  appearing  that  said  church  had  perfected  its 
organization  by  the  election  of  a  board  of  ruling  elders. 

On  the  13th  of  September,  1871,  in  accordance  with  the 
united  request  of  the  churches  of  Nunda  and  Oakland,  the 
church  at  Oakland  was  declared  by  Presbytery  to  be  extinct 
and  its  members  were  added  to  the  church  of  Nunda. 

On  the  19th  of  October,  1871,  the  Memorial  Church  in 
the  city  of  Rochester  was  organized  by  a  commission  of 
Presbytery  appointed  for  that  purpose  and  its  name  was 
added  to  our  roll,  said  church  being  formed  from  a  mission 
Sabbath-school  established  years  before  that  time  by  the 
Brick  Church. 

The  church  at  Victor  prior  to  the  reunion  had  belonged 
to  the  Presbytery  of  Pochester  and  the  synod  of  Genesee, 
but  by  the  general  reorganization  at  the  time  of  reunion  it 
was  assigned  to  the  Presbytery  and  Synod  of  Geneva.  By 
the  request  of  the  church,  which  was  sustained  by  both 
synods,  the  General  Assembly  of  1874  transferred  the 
church  to  this  body. 

The   church   of   Avon    Springs,   which   at  the  time  of 


60  HISTORY    OF    ROCHESTER    PRESBYTERY. 

reunion  was  virtually  extinct,  having  no  minister  and  nevei 
having  had  a  church  edifice,  and  reporting  only  35  mem- 
bers, was  subsequently  resuscitated  and  by  a  commission 
of  Presbytery  reorganized  as  a  new  church  in  the  year 
1876,  taking  the  name  of  the  Central  Church  of  Avon, 
which  has  subsequently  built  one  of  our  most  attractive 
church  edifices,  and  for  years  has  been  prosperous  and  self- 
sustaining. 

In  compliance  with  an  overture  from  tlie  church  at 
Fowlerville,  which  had  been  Congregational,  a  commission 
was  appointed  by  this  body  to  reorganize  the  same  as  a 
Presbyterian  church  which  was  accomplished  on  the  22d  of 
April,  1878,  and  the  name  of  the  church  was  added  to  our 
roll. 

As  the  result  of  the  labors  of  two  missionaries  in  South 
America  then  belonging  to  this  body.  Rev.  Robert  McLean 
and  his  brother  Rev.  Eneas  McLean,  a  Presbyterian  church 
which  was  organized  by  them  in  Concepcion,  Chili,  was  at 
the  request  of  said  church  received  by  this  Presbytery  on 
the  21st  of  September,  1880  ;  the  name  of  said  church  was 
retained  upon  our  roll  until  September  18th,  1883,  w^hen, 
the  Presbytery  of  Chili  having  been  formed,  the  request  of 
the  church  to  be  transferred  to  said  Presbytery  was  granted. 

In  the  year  1858  the  church  at  Gen eseo  village,  known  as 
Geneseo  Second,  was  divided ;  the  new  church  being 
organized  by  the  Genesee  River  Presbytery,  which  belonged 
to  the  Old  School  Assembly,  was  called  the  "  Central  Pres- 
byterian Church  of  Geneseo,"  the  original  church  still 
retaining  its  connection  as  heretofore  with  the  Presbytery 
of  Ontario.  After  maintaining  a  separate  existence  for 
twenty-one  years,  these  two  churches,  at  their  own  request, 
were  consolidated  by  act  of  Presbytery,  March  30th,  1880, 
with  very  happy  results  up  to  the  present  time. 

Nor  can  we  fail  to  recall  in  this  connection  the  rare  self- 
denial  which  was  manifested  by  the  Rev.  Charles  S.  Durfee, 


HISTOKY    OF    ROOHESTKR     PKESUYTERY.  f)  1 

pastor  of  the  Central  Church,  in  relinquishing  his  beloved 
flock,  to  which  he  had  ministered  for  almost  six  years, 
in  order  to  facilitate  the  union  which  his  judgment 
approved.  The  united  church  took  the  name  of  "  Geneseo 
Village." 

The  church  at  Penfield  which  was  organized  in  1806,  and 
therefore  among  the  oldest  in  all  this  section  of  the  state, 
had  by  removals  and  deaths  become  very  feeble  at  the  time 
of  reunion,  reporting  that  year  only  40  members,  with  its 
pulpit  vacant,  which  with  a  few  exceptions  remained  vacant 
with  a  decreasing  number  of  members,  until  Presbytery,  on 
the  18th  of  June,  1883,  declared  the  church  extinct.  The 
trustees  of  the  Presbytery  subsequently  sold  the  property 
and  appropriated  the  proceeds  of  the  sale  to  benevolent 
causes. 

In  response  to  a  petition  of  68  persons  asking  to  be  con- 
stituted the  North  Presbyterian  Church  of  Kochester,  a 
commission  was  appointed  by  Presbytery,  which  organized 
the  same  on  the  12th  day  of  February.  1884,  said  church 
being  formed  from  a  mission  school  which  had  been  sus- 
tained in  that  part  of  the  city  by  the  Central  Church, 
which  also  had  provided  the  building,  first  occupied  as  a 
school,  and  afterwards  as  a  church. 

In  the  village  of  Piffard,  a  church  of  twenty  individuals 
was  organized  by  a  commission  of  Presbytery,  on  the  24th 
of  November,  1886.  The  building  in  which  this  church 
now  worship  was  erected  as  a  Dutch  Eeformed  Church 
many  years  ago,  and  after  that  church  became  extinct,  relig- 
ious services  were  for  years  sustained  by  the  church  at 
Geneseo,  which  church  contributed  the  most  of  the  mem- 
bers to  form  the  new  church. 

Emmanuel  Church,  of  Kochester,  is  tlie  result  of  a 
mission  school  established  by  the  First  Church  of  that  city, 
which  also  provided  the  edifice  first  occupied  as  a  school 
and  now  as  a  church.     This  church  was  organized  by  Pres- 


62  HISTORY    OF    ROCHESTER    PRESBYTERY. 

bytery  on  the  2nd  day  of  May,  1887,  consisting  of  sixty- 
■  eight  members. 

With  these  losses  and  gains,  which  we  liave  here  indi- 
cated, our  roll  of  churches  has  been  increased  from  forty- 
one  to  forty-five. 

During  these  years  there  have  been  10,400  comnmnicants 
added  to  these  churches,  of  wliom,  6,618  were  by  examina- 
tion, and  3,782  by  certificate.  The  rite  of  baptism  has 
been  administered  to  5,265  persons,  of  whom  2,856  were 
adults,  and  2,409  were  infants.  There  has  been  a  commend- 
able promptness  on  the  part  of  the  churches,  in  furnishing 
their  annual  reports  for  the  Assembly's  minutes,  so  that  we 
have  yet  to  have  the  first  star  affixed  to  any  of  our  churches 
since  the  time  of  reunion. 

Presbytery  at  its  first  meeting,  Sept.  14,  1870,  appreci- 
ating the  difficulty  of  so  large  a  body  taking  the  proper 
over-sight  of  all  its  smaller  clmrches,  divided  its  territory 
into  three  districts,  as  follows  : 

1st.  The  County  of  Monroe,  with  the  exceptions  of 
Mendon,  Honeoye  Falls  and  Scottsville. 

2d.  Springwater,  Livonia,  Geneseo,  Lima,  Avon, 
Caledonia,  Scottsville,  Honeoye  Falls  and  Mendon. 

3d.  Leicester,  Mount  Morris,  Groveland,  Sparta,  West 
Sparta,  Dansville,  Nunda  and  Ossian. 

Presbytery  at  this  time  appointed  conveners  of  these 
districts,  leaving  it  for  each  district  to  perfect  its  own  organ- 
ization, with  a  view  to  promoting  the  spirituality  of  the 
churches  and  the  mutual  improvement  of  the  ministers. 

The  first  district  never  organized,  it  being  thought  that 
the  Ministers'  Association  of  the  city,  which,  from  that 
time  to  the  present  has  been  a  vigorous  body,  holding 
weekly  meetings,  would  quite  largely  do  the  work  of  a  more 
extended  association  which  should  include  the  ciiurches. 

The  second  district  was  organized  at  once  and  adopted 


HISTORY    OF    ROCHESTER    PRESBYTERY,  C>?> 

tlie  plan  of  monthly  meetings,  going  from  church  to 
church,  each  meeting  consisting  of  two  services. 

This  association  was,  for  a  time,  very  prosperous,  but  the 
interest  was  maintained  only  for  a  few  years,  after  which 
the  organization  was  abandoned. 

The  third,  or  southern  district,  which  was  organized  in 
1870,  has  maintained  a  prosperous  existence  up  to  the  pres- 
ent time,  holding  two  meetings  each  year,  the  one  in  Decem- 
ber occupying  two  days,  and  aiming  especially  to  promote  a 
revival  spirit,  while  that  in  May  is  for  one  day,  and  of  a 
more  social  character. 

Provision  has  also  been  made  by  this  association  for  the 
annual  visitation  of  all  its  churches  by  sending  two  minis- 
ters to  each  church  to  hold  special  services  for  two  days. 
The  second  district  also  provided  for  similar  vistations. 

After  the  abandonment  of  the  second  district.  Presbytery, 
on  the  21st  of  September,  1880,  enlarged  the  bounds  of  the 
southern  district,  so  as  to  include  the  whole  of  Livingston 
County,  the  church  at  Honeoye  Falls  being  soon  after 
added.  The  semi-annual  "meetings  of  this  body  have  been 
well  attended  and  the  interest  well  sustained. 

Prior  to  the  year  1885,  there  had  been  a  growing  convic- 
tion that  the  stated  meetings  of  Presbytery  were  too  brief 
and  too  much  restricted  to  mere  business,  which  resulted  in 
the  inauguration  of  a  plan  that  year  for  prolonging  the 
meetings  and  providing  for  popular  services  with  a  view  to 
the  promotion  of  Christian  work  among  the  churches,  which 
has  been  continued  up  to  the  present  time  with  the  happiest 
results. 

The  annual  narratives  have  attested  the  healthy  spiritual 
condition  of  the  churches,  no  year  passing  without  the  report 
of  some  revivals.  The  labors  of  the  evangelist,  Kev.  E.  E. 
Davidson,  in  Rochester,  Brockport,  Lima,  Geneseo,  Mount 
Morris  and  Honeoye  Falls,  have  been  blessed  in  very  large 
ingatherings,  while  the  powerful  revivals  wrought  of  God 


64:  HISTORY    OF    ROCHESTER    PRESBYTERY. 

through  the  labors  of  Rev.  Charles  G.  Finney  in  the  years 
1830,  1842  and  1856  in  the  City  of  Rochester,  still  retain 
their  impress  upon  tlie  churches  in  this  section,  and  are 
often  referred  to  by  those  who  were  then  converted,  as 
characterized  by  very  strong  conviction  of  sin,  followed  by 
very  positive  evidence  of  a  change  of  heart. 

The  absence  of  strife  is  worthy  of  special  mention.  Upon 
the  reunion  the  old  party  lines  w^ere  at  once  obliterated  and 
all  seemed  desirous  of  heeding  the  apostolic  injunction, 
"  In  honor  j^referring  one  another,"  and  this  is  all  the  more 
noticeable  when  we  remember  that  in  connection  with  the 
great  controversy  which  had  prevailed  our  territory  had  been 
a  prominent  battle  ground,  and  our  ministers  and  churches 
had  been  very  earnest — if  not  sometimes  bitter  partisans. 

The  peace  of  the  churches  has  been  attested  by  the 
almost  entire  absence  of  judicial  business,  nor  have  the  few 
exceptions  to  the  rule  been  traceable  to  former  alienations, 
so  that  we  may  rejoice  in  the  assertion  that  during  all  these 
eighteen  years,  our  body  has  been  as  compact  and  homo- 
geneous as  could  have  been  expected  had  there  never  been  a 
schism. 

In  regard  to  benevolence  we  are  able  to  give  as  the 
aggregate  of  our  statistical  reports  for  the  years  1870  to 
1887,  inclusive,  the  following  amounts  : 

Home    Missions,  -             -             -               $156,811.00 

Foreign  Missions,    -  -             -            -           132,186.00 

Education,         .  .             .             -             -       29,684.00 

Publication  and  Sabbath-Schools,   -  -             25,303.00 

Church  Erection,  .             .             .             .      34,466.00 

Ministerial  Relief,    -  -             -             -             14,237.00 

Freedmen,         .  .             .             -             -      20,251.00 

Sustentation,             .  .             .             -               5.350.00 

Aid  for  Colleges,  .             .             .             -         3,032.00 

Assembly's  Fund,  -  -             -             -               10,046.81 

Congregational,  ...             -  1,782,235.00 

Miscellaneous,         -  -            -            -               81,710.00 

Giving  us  a  grand  total  of  -  $2,295,311.81 


HISTORY    OF    ROCHESTER    PRESBYTERY.  65 

WOMAN'S    MISSIONARY   SOCIETY. 

Proiniiieut  among  the  agencies  for  the  collection  of  these 
funds  and  for  awakening  an  earnest  spirit  of  missions 
among  our  churches,  we  gratefully  recognize  the  "  Wom- 
an's Missionary  Society  of  Rochester  Presbytery,"  which 
was  organized  in  the  Central  Church  of  Rochester,  April  155 
1873,  and  which,  from  that  day  to  this,  has  been  an  increas- 
ing power  for  good  within  our  bounds.  The  officers  first 
chosen  were  Mrs.  H.  D.  Gregory,  of  Geneseo,  President, 
and  Mrs.  D.  H.  Palmer,  of  Brockport,  Secretary  and 
Treasurer.  Twelve  churches  were  represented  in  this  soci- 
ety at  its  organization,  viz.  :  Brockport,  Caledonia,  Dans- 
ville,  Geneseo  Central,  Geneseo  Second,  Livonia,  Mount 
Morris,  Ogden,  Rochester  Central,  Rochester  Memorial, 
Rochester  Third  and  Sparta  Second,  and  before  the  close  of 
that  year  eight  others  were  added,  viz. :  Groveland,  Geneseo 
First,  Ossian,  Rochester  Brick,  Rochester  St.  Peters, 
Sweden,  Tuscarora,  and  Union  Corners. 

Others  were  added  from  time  to  time,  as  follows : 

In  1874,  Gates,  Lima,  Rochester  First,  Rochester  West- 
minster, Wheatland  and  Victor. 

In  1875,  Moscow,  Parma  Centre  and  Sparta  First. 

In  1876,  Brighton  and  Nunda. 

In  1877,  Avon,  Avon  Central,  Honeoye  Falls  and  Webster. 

In  1878,  Rochester  Calvary. 

In  1879,  Chili,  Fowlerville,  Mendon  and  Pittsford. 

In  1883,  Clarkson. 

In  1885,  Rochester  North. 

In  1887,  Rochester  Emmanuel. 

Making  in  all,  forty-three  of  our  forty-five  churches  which 
have  had  these  auxiliary  societies. 

The  Presbyterial  Society  meets  twice  each  year  with  a 
very  large  attendance.  The  amounts  contributed  by  this 
society  in  1873  were  : 


66  HISTORY    OF    ROCHESTER    PRESBYTERY. 

Home  Missions,  -  -  -  -       $     406.75 

Foreign  Missions,  -  -  -  -  1,832.65 

Supplies,  ...  -  745.99 

Making  a  total  of      -  -  -  $  2,985.39 

The  amounts  contributed  the  present  year,  1887-8,  are : 
Home  Missions,  -  -  -  -     $  1,938.13 

Freedmen,  -  -  -  -  704.94 

Foreign  Missions,        -  -  -  -  4,628.63 

Supplies,  ...  -  3,353.00 

Total,        -----      $10,634.70 
Being  an  increase  over  the  first  year  of  $7,649.31.     The 
total  of  the  contributions  of  this  society  for  the  16  years  of 
its  existence  is : 

Home  Missions,  including  Freedmen,  -       $28,511.97 

Foreign  Missions,  -  -  -  44,261.73 

Supplies,       -----  30,232.11 

Giving  a  grand  total  of       -  -  $103,005.11 

During  the  last  year  Women's  Auxiliary  Societies  have 
been  reported  from  thirty-four  churches  besides  thirty-five 
young  people's  societies  and  bands. 

To  the  list  of  ministers  belonging  to  this  Presbytery, 
already  referred  to  as  laboring  on  the  foreign  field, 
we  may  add  the  following  as  representatives  of  this  Wom- 
an's Presbyterial  Society  :  Miss  Hattie  Seymour  and  Miss 
Carrie  Bush,  formerly  of  Kochester,  now  in  Kharpoot, 
Turkey  ;  Mrs.  Kev.  J.  N.  B.  Smith,  of  Shanghai,  formerly 
Miss  Fannie  Strong,  of  Lima;  Mrs.  Kev.  Charles  R.  Mills, 
of  Tungcliow,  formerly  of  Nunda,  and  Mrs.  Kev.  Frank  P. 
Gilman,  of  Hainan,  formerly  Miss  Marion  MclSTair,  of 
Sparta  First. 


HISTORY   O^   ROCHESTER   PRESBYTERY.  67 

SABBATH  SCHOOLS. 

In  Sabbath-school  work  the  record  of  our  churches  corre- 
sponds well  with  the  advance  which  we  have  noticed  in 
other  departments,  some  of  our  schools  reporting  as  high  as 
six,  seven  and  eight  hundred  members,  while  all  the  churches, 
with  veiy  rare  exceptions,  report  schools  that  are  well 
organized  and  doing  efficient  work.  The  total  number  of 
members  in  the  Sabbath-schools  reported  in  1871,  was, 
7,655,  while  that  of  last  year  was  9,722,  being  an  increase 
of  2,067,  or  more  than  twenty-five  per  cent. 

TEMPERANCE. 

In  temperance  there  has  been  much  accomplished,  with 
alternations  of  encouragement  and  discouragement.  Early 
in  its  history  our  Presbytery  shared  in  the  benelits  of  the 
Gospel  Temperance  movement  which  secured  multitudes  of 
converts  throughout  the  country  by  means  of  prayer  and 
moral  suasion,  which  has  given  place,  for  the  last  six  or 
eight  years,  to  a  movement  more  compulsory  and  political 
in  its  character,  in  which  the  real  friends  of  total  abstinence 
are  quite  divided  on  the  question  of  methods. 

The  Woman's  Christian  Temperance  Union  has  had  vig- 
orous branches  in  different  parts  of  our  field  and  in  most  of 
our  parishes,  and  through  these  has  furnished  very  efficient 
aid  to  our  pulpits  and  Sabbath-schools  in  awakening  and 
sustaining  a  healthy  sentiment  in  favor  of  total  abstinence. 

This  society  traces  its  origin  to  what  was  known  as  the 
Woman's  Temperance  Crusade,  which  was  stai-ted  in  the 
town  of  Hillsboro,  Ohio.  Dec.  23,  1873,  by  Mrs.  Eliza 
Thompson,  and  which,  after  spreading  the  country  over 
with  astonishing  rapidity,  lias  subsequently  crystallized  into 
this  more  compact  and  efficient  organization,  which  in  its 
present  form,  has  grown  to  be  national  and  indeed  world- 
wide in  its  extent,  numbering  already  more  than  6,000  soci- 


68  HISTTORY    OF    ROCHESTER   PRESBYTERY. 

eties  in  the  United  States,  which  aggregate  236,962  mem- 
bers of  all  denominations  and  races,  having  for  its  motto 
"  For  God  and  Home  and  Native  Land."  Eeinforced  by 
numerous  recruits  in  Great  Britain,  this  army  has  already 
seized  upon  strategic  points  in  China,  Japan,  Australia  and 
New  Zealand,  and  is  pushing  on  to  new  conquests,  thus 
proving  its  aggressive  and  missionary  spirit. 

YOUNG  PEOPLE'S  SOCIETIES  OF  CHRISTIAN  ENDEAVOR. 

Within  the  last  four  or  live  years  there  have  been  spring- 
ing up  among  our  churches  what  are  known  as  "  Young 
People's  Societies  of  Christian  Endeavor,"  which  are 
becoming  quite  common  in  various  parts  of  our  country  and 
in  the  different  religious  denominations,  and  already  are 
recognized  as  a  most  efficient  agency  for  the  training  of 
young  Christians  to  take  part  in  prayer  meetings,  and  to  be 
helpful  in  other  kinds  of  church  work.  Perhaps  half  of 
our  churches  are  already  blessed  with  these  societies,  with 
the  number  increasing  from  year  to  year. 

INCORPORATION. 

The  Presbytery  was  incorporated  in  accordance  with  an 
act  of  the  Legislature  of  the  State  on  the  1st  of  November, 
1875,  by  nine  individuals  who  had  been  elected  as  a  board 
of  trustees,  and  was  subsequently  reorganized  on  the  18th 
of  June,  1883.  This  organization  is  continued  up  to  the 
present  time  by  the  annual  election  of  three  trustees  who 
hold  their  offices  for  three  years,  which  board  of  nine  has 
the  power  to  dispose  of  the  property  of  extinct  churches, 
and  in  other  ways  to  care  for  the  temporal  interests  of  the 
Presbytery. 

In  comparing  the  number  of  communicants  reported  by 
our  churches  in  1871,  which  was  7,389,  with  the  number 
reported  last  year  which  was  9,531,  we  find  a  gain  of  2,142, 


HISTORY    Ot   ROCHESTER   PRESBYTERY,  09 

or  of  about  30  per  cent.  But  with  this  gain  we  are 
confronted  with  the  fact  that  14  churches  have  lost  in  their 
members,  so  that  tliey  report  396  less  than  in  1871.  This 
is  attributable  in  part  to  a  diminished  population  in  many 
of  our  rural  districts.  Indeed,  while  the  city  of  Rochester 
has  about  doubled  its  population  since  1870,  the  remainder 
of  our  territory  has  barely  held  its  own.  But  our  small 
churches  have  come  up  very  nobly  in  the  matter  of  self- 
support,  very  few  of  them  drawing  Home  Missionary  funds, 
the  average  being  not  more  than  $1,110.00  a  year.  The 
whole  amount  paid  into  the  treasury  of  the  Home  Board 
from  April  1,  1870,  to  April  1,  1889,  is  $84,360.39,  while 
the  amount  drawn  from  that  treasury  during  the  same 
years  is  $21,075.00,  leaving  a  balance  in  our  favor  of 
$63,285.39. 

In  noticing  the  changes  which  have  occurred,  we  find  that 
fifteen  of  the  50  original  members  remain,  and  that  three 
retain  the  same  pulpits  which  they  then  occupied,  to  which 
we  may  add  the  two  foreign  missionaries  who  still  labor  at 
Kharpoot.  Of  the  other  35,  twenty  have  been  dismissed  ; 
while  fifteen  have  died,  as  follows  : 

March  16,  1871,  Rev.  Isaac  N".  Lowrie  at  MinneapoHs, 
Minn.,  aged  28. 

August  22,  1871,  Rev.  Robert  McMath  at  Webster, 
N.  Y.,  aged  55. 

September  10,  1871,  Rev.  Albert  G.  Hall,  D.  D.,  at 
Rochester,  N.  Y.,  aged  65. 

November  9,  1871,  Rev.  Hezekiah  B.  Pierpont  at 
Rochester,  N.  Y.,  aged  79. 

March  24,  1872,  Rev.  John  Barnard,  D.  D.,  at  Lima, 
N.  Y.,  aged  82. 

December  20,  1872,  Rev.  Justus  S.  Hough  at  Syracuse, 
N.  Y.,  aged  87. 

July  4,  1876,  Rev.  Isaac  Oakes  at  Nunda,  N.Y.,  aged  81. 


TO  HISTORY   OF   ROCHESTER    PRESBYTERY. 

June  10,  1880,  Rev.  Charles  E.  Furman,  D.  D.,  at 
Rochester,  N.  Y.,  aged  79. 

September  16,  1880,  Rev.  Charles  Kittridge  at  Clarkson, 
N.  Y.,  aged  72. 

November  21,  1880,  Rev.  Milton  Buttolph  at  Lima, 
N.  Y.,  aged  88. 

September  21,  1881,  Rev.  Lemuel  Brooks  at  Churchville, 
N.  Y.,  aged  83. 

November  6,  1882,  Rev.  George  McCartney  at  Banks, 
Mich.,  aged  69. 

December  17,  1884,  Rev.  Joseph  R.  Page,  D.  D.,  at 
Rochester,  N.  Y.,  aged  67. 

March  11,  1884,  Rev.  Thomas  Aitken  at  North  Sparta, 
N.  Y.,  aged  84. 

July  2,  1887,  Rev.  Malcolm  N.  McLaren,  D.  D.,  at 
Auburn,  N.  Y.,  aged  89. 

Of  those  subsequently  received  the  following  eleven  have 
deceased : 

March  28,  1873,  Rev.  Joshua  D.  Lane  at  Henrietta, 
N.  Y.,  aged  61. 

August  8,  1873,  Rev.  Richard  Dunning  at  Rochester, 
N.  Y.,  aged  74. 

September  8,  1875,  Rev.  John  Henry  Brodt  at  Dansville, 
N.  Y.,  aged  48. 

December  4,  1875,  Rev.  Alexander  Douglass  at  Lima, 
N.  Y.,  aged  37. 

June  26, 1882,  Rev.  Elijah  H.  Bonney  at  Clarkson,  N.Y., 
aged  65. 

June  28, 1882,  Rev.  Thomas  A. Weed  at  Saratoga  Springs, 
N.  Y.,  aged  65. 

November  26,  1887,  Rev.  Benjamin  F.  McNeil  at  Adams, 
Mass.,  aged  61. 

December  9,  1887,  Rev.  Charles  Gillette  at  Rochester, 
N.  Y.,  aged  72. 


HISTORY    OF    ROCHESTER    PRESBYTERY.  71 

December  24,  1887,  Rev.  Charles  Stoddard  Diirfcc  at 
East  Bloomfield,  N.  Y.,  aged  43. 

January  29,  1888,  Rev.  David  Latlirop  Hunn  at  Buffalo, 
K  Y.,  aged  98. 

March  25,  1888,  Rev.  Alexander  S.  Hoyt  at  Ogden, 
N.  Y.,  aged  48. 

The  average  age  of  these  twenty-six  is  sixty-eight  and 
one-half  years. 

That  both  ministers  and  churches  have  sought  permanency 
in  the  pastoral  relation,  is  attested  by  the  fact  that  we  are 
able  to  name  twenty-one  ministers  who  have  retained  their 
pulpits  for  ten  years  and  upwards.  Three  of  these  pastorates 
have  been  exceptionally  long,  viz :  That  of  Rev.  "Wm. 
Hunter  at  Springwater,  44  years,  with  a  promise  of  more. 
Rev.  Thomas  Aitken,  45  years  at  Sparta,  and  Rev.  J.  B. 
Shaw,  D.  D.,  47  years  over  the  Brick  Church  of  Rochester, 
where  beloved  and  honored  by  all  he  is  still  retained  as 
pastor  emeritus. 

Yery  few  churches  have  we  been  obliged  to  mark  as 
vacant  from  year  to  year,  and  even  these  have  seldom  been 
contented  to  remain  long  without  the  permanent  ministry. 

On  our  catalogue  of  157  ministers  different  colleges  are 
represented  by  their  graduates,  in  numbers,  as  follows : 
Hamilton  20,  Union  20,  Amherst  12,  College  of  New  Jersey 
12,  Rochester  University  10,  Yale  6,  Williams  7,  University 
of  Pennsylvania  4,  Lafayette  3,  Middlebury,  Westminster, 
Western  Reserve,  Washington,  New  York  University,  and 
Genesee,  2  each,  and  1  each  from  Dartmouth,  Geneva  Hall, 
Marietta,  Carroll,  Monmouth,  Jefferson,  Columbia,  Knox, 
University  of  Glasgow,  Victoria  University,  Oberlin  and 
Belfast.  The  remaining  thirty-nine  are  not  college  grad- 
uates. 

Theological  seminaries  have  been  represented  as  follows  : 
Auburn  52,  Princeton  34,  Union  20,  Andover  11,   Lane, 


<ii  HISTORY    OF    ROCHESTER    PRESBYTERY. 

Bangor,  Alleghany  U.  P.  and  Alleghany  R.  P.,  two  each, 
and  one  each  from  Yale,  Oberlin,  Newburgh,  East  Windsor, 
Belfast,  Hartford,  Edinburgh,  Glasgow,  Western  Reserve, 
Monmouth,  Rochester  and  Chicago.  Twenty  have  not 
graduated  from  seminaries. 

Trained  as  these  men  have  been  in  so  many  different 
colleges  and  theological  seminaries,  it  has  been  very  notice- 
able that  as  a  Presbytery  we  have  with  so  much  heartiness 
maintained  our  Calvinistic  standards,  causing  us  all  to 
rejoice  in  the  fact  that  our  confession  of  faith  and  catechism, 
which  were  adopted  a  hundred  years  ago  at  the  organization 
of  our  General  Assembly,  have  remained  substantially 
unchanged  to  the  present,  with  the  probability  of  success- 
fully withstanding  all  opposition  for  the  centuries  that  are 
to  come. 

Ours  has  truly  been  a  favored  part  of  the  vineyard  in 
which  to  labor.  As  we  look  about  us  we  can  say  :  "  The 
lines  have  fallen  unto  us  in  pleasant  places,  yea  we  have  a 
goodly  heritage."  He  is  a  favored  man  to  whom  the  Lord 
assigns  a  home  in  the  valley  of  the  Genesee. 

And  now  as  we  turn  from  this  brief  sketch  of  the  more 
prominent  events  in  the  history  of  the  last  eighteen  years, 
to  anticipate  the  victories  for  Christ  which  our  Presbyterian 
church  shall  achieve  in  the  years  to  come,  we  are  confident 
that  our  beloved  Presbytery  will  keep  step  with  the  others 
in  this  great  army  of  conquest ;  and  though  one  by  one  our 
names  wall  be  added  to  the  list  of  those  who  sleep  in  Jesus, 
our  covenant  God  wall  not  fail  to  raise  up  from  among  our 
youth  those  who  will  more  than  fill  our  places. 


BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES. 


KEY.  ISAAC  NEWTON  LOWRIE. 

The  following  minute,  prepared  by  Kev  A.  H.  Corliss, 
was  adopted  by  Presbytery,  October  19,  1871 : 

Rev.  Isaac  Kewton  Lowrie  was  born  in  Mecca,  Parke 
County,  Indiana,  November  30,  1842,  and  died  at  Minne- 
apolis, Minn.,  March  16,  1871.  His  parents  died,  the  one 
in  1850  and  the  other  in  1851.  In  1860  he  entered 
Wabash  College.  On  the  26th  of  May,  1861,  he  united 
with  the  Presbyterian  church  in  Crawfordsville,  Ind.  He 
was  graduated  from  Genesee  College  in  1864,  and  in  the 
fall  of  the  same  year  entered  the  Seminary  at  Auburn. 
He  was  ordained  as  an  evangelist  at  Lima,  July  2d,  1867; 
married  to  Miss  Mary  E.  Smith  of  Auburn,  July  23d; 
sailed  from  Boston  for  Syria,  October  8th,  and  arrived  at 
Bey  rout  the  last  of  November,  1867. 

The  latter  part  of  the  year  1869,  his  brethren  in  the 
mission  and  the  physician  advised  his  return  home.  He 
reached  his  uncle's  home  in  Lima,  July,  1870,  and  after 
resting  a  few  weeks  went  to  Minneapolis,  where  he  died  of 
consumption. 

A  modest,  earnest,  self-sacrificing  disciple,  the  Master 
made  his  work  day  in  the  vineyard  short ;  yet  long  enough 
to  win  the  benediction,  "  He  hath  done  what  he  could." 


74:  HI8T0RY    OF    EOCHESTER    PRESBYTERY. 


REV.  EGBERT  McMATH. 

The  Rev.  Robert  McMatli  was  born  at  Romulus,  Seneca 
County,  N.  Y.,  February  15,  181.5  ;  was  graduated  from 
Union  College  in  1838  and  from  Lane  Seminary  in  1841  ; 
was  licensed  by  the  Presbytery  of  Cincinnati  in  1840,  and 
was  ordained  by  the  Presbytery  of  Detroit,  June  1st,  1843. 
He  came  into  this  Presbytery  at  the  time  of  reunion  as  a 
member  of  the  Rochester  City  Presbytery. 

The  following  minute,  as  prepared  by  Rev.  Charles  E. 
Furman,  D.  D.,  was  adopted  by  Presbytery,  October  19, 
1871  : 

"Among  the  uncommon  numbers  of  fathers  and  brethren, 
ministers  of  the  Presbyterian  church,  who  have  been  called 
during  the  passing  year,  as  we  believe  to  the  church  above, 
we  would  not  forget  to  mention  and  record  the  name  of 
the  Rev.  Robert  McMath,  who  died  on  the  22d  day  of 
August  last,  in  Webster,  the  field  of  his  last  professional 
labors.  It  is  with  mournful  pleasure  we  pay  our  tribute  to 
the  modest,  but  not  the  less  real,  worth  of  our  beloved 
departed  brother,  in  the  usefulness  of  his  work  wdierever 
called  to  perform  it ;  the  universal  esteem  in  which  he  was 
held  while  living  by  those  who  had  known  him,  and  the 
universal  sorrow  with  which  his  death  is  mourned." 


REV.  ALBERT  G.  HALL,  D.  D. 

Rev.  Albert  G.  Hall,  D.  D.,  was  born  at  Whitehall,  N.Y., 
April  12,  1805  ;  was  licensed  by  the  Presbytery  of  Roches- 
ter, July  1st,  1835,  and  was  ordained  and  installed  by  the 
same  Presbytery  as  pastor  of  the  church  at  Penfield,  Febru- 
ary 24,  1836,  where  he  remained  four  years  ;  after  which 


HISTORY    OF    ROCHESTER    PRESBYTERY,  i5 

he  was  for  thirty-one  years  the  pastor  of  the  Third  Cliurch 
of  Rochester  ;  which  relation  was  terininated  by  his  sudden 
death  on  the  10th  of  September,  1871.  His  pastorate  over 
this  important  clmrch  during  those  eventful  years  in  the 
history  of  this  city,  is  in  itself  an  evidence  that  he  was  a 
man  of  more  than  ordinary  power.  Combined  with  this 
strength  of  character  was  a  very  genial  disposition  which 
served  to  attach  others  to  him  in  strong  friendships.  In 
those  days  of  division  he  was  conservative  and  very  pro- 
nounced in  his  preference  for  the  old  school  branch,  and  as 
such  was  an  acknowledged  leader  in  Western  New  York. 
Able  in  debate,  he  was  always  at  home  on  the  floor  of 
Presbytery  and  took  the  most  intense  interest  in  all  its 
proceedings.  In  his  death  not  only  the  Third  Church  but 
the  entire  Presbytery  sustained  a  great  loss. 


KEY.  HEZEKIAII  B.  PIERPONT. 

Rev.  Hezekiah  B.  Pierpont  was  born  in  Litchfield,  Conn., 
July  28,  1792  ;  was  licensed  by  the  Presbytery  of  Rochester, 
Nov.  3d,  1831,  was  ordained  as  an  evangelist  by  the  same 
Presbytery,  March  14tli,  1833,  and  came  into  this  Presbytery 
at  the  time  of  re-union  as  a  member  of  the  former  Presbytery 
of  Rochester. 

The  following  minute,  which  was  prepared  by  the  Rev. 
Charles  E.  Furman,  D.  D.,  was  adopted  by  Presbytery, 
April  10th,  1872: 

"  The  Rev.  Hezekiah  B.  Pierpont  departed  this  life  in 
Rochester  at  the  house  of  his  son,  J.  E.  Pierpont,  on  the 
9th  day  of  November  last,  in  the  80th  year  of  his  age.  He 
was  licensed  and  ordained  to  the  work  of  the  gospel  ministry 
about  forty  years  ago  by  the  Presbytery  of  Rochester.     He 


76  HISTORY  OF  ROCHESTER  PRESBYTERY. 

was  for  many  years  a  successful  minister  of  the  gospel, 
preaching  in  Avon,  Livingston  Co.,  in  Hopewell,  Ontario 
Co.,  and  other  places.  He  was  a  good  man  and  true,  a 
faithful  minister  and  approved  of  God;  many  counting 
themselves  Christians  as  the  fruits  of  his  labors. 

"  Therefore,  resolved  that  while  we  mourn  the  loss  of  a 
venerable  brother  as  a  highly  respected  and  dearly  beloved 
member  of  Presbytery,  we  submit  to  the  order  of  Divine 
Providence,  and  rejoice  that  his  last  days  were  his  best  days 
and  that  the  testimony  of  a  happy  and  triumphant  death 
was  added  to  that  of  a  lifelong  example  of  the  power  of 
Christian  faith." 


REV.  JOHN  BARNARD,  D.  D. 

The  Rev.  John  Barnard,  D.  D.,  was  born  in  Bolton, 
AVorcester  Co.,  Mass.,  Feb.  14th,  1790.  He  graduated  at 
Union  College  in  this  state  in  the  year  1813,  and  at  Prince- 
ton Seminary  in  1816,  and  in  the  same  year  was  licensed  by 
the  Oneida  Association.  He  commenced  his  ministry  in 
Lima  in  1818,  where  he  was  ordained  and  installed  by  a 
council,  Feb.  3d,  1819,  the  church  at  that  time  being 
Congregational.  He  was  received  by  letter  from  the  Oneida 
Association  as  a  member  of  Ontario  Presbytery,  July  4th, 
1819,  and  elected  its  stated  clerk,  Feb.  9th,  1820,  holding  the 
office  over  fifty  years  or  until  the  Presb}i;ery  was  merged 
into  the  present  Presbytery  of  Rochester.  His  pastorate  at 
Lima  continued  38  years,  after  which  in  the  retirement  of 
old  age  he  resided  there  as  the  loving  and  efficient  helper  of 
his  successors  up  to  the  time  of  his  death,  which  occurred 
March  24th,  1872.  As  a  writer  he  was  choice  in  his  diction, 
exact  in  his  statements  and  classical  in  his  style ;  as  a  preacher 


1 

Z4 

m 

ti#^'    . 

rhmi 

*^.  4 

^m 

^'■ 

p't  ^ 

w 

.1 1 

REV.  JOHN   BARNARD,   D.  D. 


HISTORY    OF    ROCHESTER    PRESBYTERY.  77 

he  was  clear,  scriptural,  earnest  and  tender ;  as  a  pastor  he 
was  a  model  which  we  all  loved  to  study,  while  as  a  man 
his  character  was  remarkable  for  combining  strength  Math 
simplicity,  dignity  with  affability,  and  tenacity  of  purpose 
with  tenderness  of  heart.  But  all  his  other  gifts  were 
secondary  to  his  power  in  prayer.  As  his  name  was  John 
it  was  not  difficult  to  discover  in  him  the  traits  of  the  disciple 
whom  Jesus  loved.  At  our  ordination  services  he  of  all 
others  was  the  chosen  one  to  lead  us  at  the  mercy  seat  when 
by  his  communion  with  God  he  brought  blessings  to  every 
heart. 


EEV.  JUSTUS  S.  HOUGH. 

Rev.  Justus  S.  Hough  was  born  in  Sheffield,  Mass.,  in 
1785,  was  graduated  from  Middlebury  College,  Vt.,  in  1810, 
pursued  his  theological  course  with  Rev.  J.  Bushnell  of 
Vermont,  which  he  concluded  in  1814,  about  which  time  he 
was  licensed  by  the  Addison  County  Association,  and  soon 
after  ordained  by  the  same  association. 

He  was  received  by  the  Presbytery  of  Ontario  by  letter 
from  the  Presbytery  of  Cayuga,  Jan.  22d,  1834,  and  was 
installed  pastor  of  the  church  at  Livonia,  Feb.  13th,  1834. 
He  continued  with  that  Presbytery  until  the  re-union  and 
thus  came  into  this  body. 

The  following  minute,  as  prepared  by  Rev.  Luther 
Conklin,  was  adopted  by  Presbytery,  April  15th,  1873  : 

"  Rev.  Justus  S.  Hough,  a  member  of  this  Presbytery, 
died  in  Syracuse  at  the  residence  of  his  son,  in  December 
(20th)  last,  at  the  age  of  87  years.  He  *  *  *  preached  a 
number  of  years  in  his  native  state  (Yermont).  He  then 
removed  to  this  state  and  labored  with  great  success  in  Port 
Byron  and  Livonia,  until  the  loss  of  his  voice  put  an  end  to 


f 8  HISTORY    OF    ROCHESTER    PRESBYTERY. 

liis  preaching  thirty  years  ago.  He  was  still  eminently  use- 
ful in  the  Bible  class,  the  prayer  meeting,  and  all  the  rela- 
tions of  private  life,  in  Jordan  and  East  Bloorafield.  He 
was  the  coadjutor  of  his  pastor  in  every  good  word  and 
work.  He  was  a  man  of  strong  common  sense,  vigorous 
mind  and  deep  piety ;  and  he  retained  his  powers  almost  to 
the  last.  He  was  an  illustration  of  the  truth  that  a  man's 
usefulness  need  not  end  with  his  labors  as  a  preacher  of  the 
gospel." 


KEY.  JOSHUA  D.  LANE. 

The  following  minute  was  adopted  by  Presbytery,  April 
15th,  1873  : 

"  The  committee  to  prepare  a  minute  in  reference  to  E.ev. 
Joshua  D.  Lane,  a  member  of  this  Presbytery  who  departed 
this  life  on  the  28th  of  March,  would  respectfully  report : 
This  beloved  and  faithful  minister  of  Jesus  was  blessed  with 
a  godly  parentage  and  ancestry.  He  was  a  child  of  the 
covenant,  and  devoted  to  the  Lord  by  his  parents  with  much 
prayer  and  careful  training  in  all  the  doctrines  and  duties 
of  our  holy  religion. 

"His  godly  father  was  an  earnest  pioneer  minister  in  Cen- 
tral and  Western  New  York,  whose  great  aim  was  to 
lengthen  the  cords  and  strengthen  the  stakes  of  the  church. 
The  subject  of  this  brief  notice,  after  a  thorough  prepai'a- 
tion,  commenced  his  work  in  the  ministry  in  Smithport, 
Pa.,  but  after  several  years'  labor  in  the  iield,  and  much  to 
the  regret  of  his  people,  his  failing  health  compelled  him  to 
leave.  After  laboring  several  years  in  Western  New  York 
till  the  breaking  out  of  the  war,  he  entered  the  Union  army 
as  chaplain  of  the  131st  Regiment  of  New  York  Yolunteers, 


HISTORY    OF    ROCHESTER    PRESBYTERY.  70 

where  he  was  recognized  as  a  true  and  faithful  minister  of 
Christ.  Soon  after  his  return  from  the  army  he  preached 
for  two  years  at  Parma. 

"  At  the  beginning  of  the  present  year,  he  was  invited  to 
return  to  Smithport,  and  had  just  entered  upon  his  work 
when  he  was  called  to  his  eternal  rest.  His  end  was  full  of 
peace,  resignation,  faith  and  hope.  And  we  cannot  doubt 
that  abundant  entrance  was  ministered  unto  him  into  the 
everlasting  kingdom  of  our  Lord.  As  we  remember  his 
many  virtues,  his  noble  qualities  of  head  and  heart,  his  love 
to  the  church  and  the  truth  of  God,  we  hope  that  his 
departure  may  be  blessed  to  the  renewed  consecration  of  his 
surviving  friends  to  the  cause  of  Christ." 


REV.  RICHARD  DUNNING. 

The  following  minute  was  presented  by  Rev.  Joseph  R. 
Page  and  adopted  by  Presbytery,  Sept.  9,  1873 : 

"  Presbytery  would  record  the  entrance  upon  his  ever- 
lasting rest  of  Rev.  Richard  Dunning,  a  beloved  member 
of  this  body,  since  our  last  meeting.  He  was  licensed  by 
this  Presbytery  forty-five  years  ago,  and  soon  after  by  it 
ordained.  Since  that  time  until  a  year  and  a  half  before 
his  decease  he  continued  in  the  sacred  oftice,  ministering 
chiefly  to  the  feeble  churches  of  the  region,  to  their  accept- 
ance and  decided  advantage.  He  was  a  man  of  a  truly  Chris- 
tian spirit,  never  self-seeking  and  ambitious,  but  always 
ready  to  enter  the  most  uninviting  field,  and  labor  in  actual 
self-denial  and  comparative  obscurity,  for  the  salvation  of 
souls  and  the  extension  of  the  Redeemer's  kingdom.  His 
ministry  was  attended  with  repeated  and  powerful  revivals, 
due  not  only  to  his  faithful  and  affectionate  preaching  of 
the  gospel,  but  also  to  his  habitual  illustration  of  its  excel- 


80  HISTORY    OF    ROCHESTER    PRESBYTERY. 

lence  by  a  well  ordered  life  and  a  godly  conversation.  He 
died  in  Rochester,  Aug.  8,  lb73,  in  the  seventy-fifth  year 
of  his  age.  His  last  days  were  cheerful  and  brightened  by 
the  consciousness  of  his  Savior's  presence.  None  entered 
his  sick  chamber  without  feeling  that  it  was  just  on  the 
verge  of  heaven,  and  a  blessed  privilege  to  witness  the 
victory  w^iicli  divine  grace  gave  him  over  the  last  enemy. 
Our  regret  for  his  departure  is  swallowed  up  in  gratitude 
for  the  worthy  example  he  has  left  us,  the  good  he  was 
enabled  to  accomplish,  and  the  reward  upon  which  he  has 
doubtless  entered." 


REV.  JOHN  H.  BRODT. 

Rev.  John  Henry  Brodt  was  born  in  Troy,  N.  Y.,  June 
2,  1827.  He  pursued  his  preparatory  studies  at  the  school 
of  Mr.  Anthony  in  a  neighboring  city  and  at  the  Polytech- 
nic Institute  in  his  native  place.  The  years  1849  and  '50 
he  sj)ent  at  Williams  College,  and  graduated  at  Union 
Theological  Seminary  in  1853.  He  was  licensed  by  the 
Presbytery  of  Troy,  June  29,  1853,  and  ordained  by  the 
same  Presbytery,  June  29tli,  185-4.  He  commenced  his 
work  as  a  minister  of  the  gospel  by  accepting  an  aj)point- 
ment  of  the  Home  Mission  Board  to  a  field  in  California. 
His  ministry  of  twelve  years  on  the  Pacific  coast  was 
crowned  with  abundant  success.  While  there  Mr.  Brodt 
was  for  a  time  an  editor  of  the  Pacijio^  a  Congregational 
paper  published  at  San  Francisco.  This  paper  in  referring 
to  him  said  :  "  Mr.  Brodt  came  hither  in  his  youth,  full 
of  enthusiasm,  fairly  running  over  with  good  spirits.  He 
had  a  good  presence,  fine  looks,  a  bright  eye  and  a  clear, 
full  voice,  and  so  was  a  very  pleasing  preacher.  His 
abilities  were  above  the  average." 


HISTORY   OF   ROCHESTER    PRESBYTERY.  81 

Upon  his  return  to  the  East  he  was  settled  for  two  years 
over  the  Presbyterian  eliurch  in  Salem,  N.  Y.,  and  then 
over  the  Park  Presbyterian  church  in  New  York  city, 
which  position  he  held  until  the  dissolution  of  that  body, 
when  he  was  called  to  minister  to  the  large  and  influential 
New  England  Congregational  Society  of  Brooklyn,  N.  Y., 
w^here  his  labors  were  blessed  with  an  abundant  harvest  of 
souls.  About  the  year  1872,  his  failing  health  compelled 
him  to  retire  from  his  church  in  Brooklyn  and  seek  medical 
relief  at  Dansville,  where,  with  his  wife  and  six  children, 
he  resided  for  about  three  years,  when  his  life  work  was 
closed. 

The  following  resolutions  with  reference  to  his  death 
which  were  prepared  by  Rev.  G.  K.  Ward,  of  Dansville, 
were  adopted  by  Presbytery,  September  21,  1875  : 

"  Resolved^  That  in  the  death  of  Rev.  John  Henry  Brodt, 
which  occurred  on  the  8th  of  Sept.,  1875,  [at  Dansville, 
N.  Y.,]  we  as  a  Presbytery  recognize  the  wisdom  and  power 
of  our  Father  in  heaven,  and  bow  before  His  righteous  will, 
humbly  acknowledging  that  He  doeth  all  things  well. 

''  Resolved^  That  we  ever  cherish  with  tender  regard  the 
memory  of  one  who  was  at  the  same  time  a  wise  counselor, 
a  true  friend  and  a  consistent  Christian  minister ;  and  that 
we  deeply  appreciate  the  loss  which  we  as  a  Presbytery,  in 
common  with  the  church  and  the  world,  have  sustained  in 
his  death. 

"  Resolved^  That  to  the  bereaved  and  stricken  family,  who 
mourn  the  loss  of  a  devoted  husband  and  father,  we  extend 
our  heartiest  sympathy  and  love,  while  we  commend  them 
to  the  tender  mercies  of  Him  who  has  said,  '  Blessed  are 
they  that  mourn,  for  they  shall  be  comforted.' 

"  Resolved,  That  a  copy  of  these  resolutions  be  presented  to 
the  family  of  the  deceased,  that  they  be  entered  upon  the 
records  of  this  body,  and  that  they  be  published  in  the 
religious  papers  of  our  church." 


82  HISTORY   OF   ROCHESTER    PRESBYTERY, 


REV.  ALEXANDER  DOUGLASS. 

The  Rev.  Alexander  Douglass  was  born  at  Cavan,  Ontario 
Co.,  Canada,  August,  1838.  He  studied  three  years  at 
Genesee  College  and  Michigan  University,  and  graduated 
at  Auburn  Seminary  in  1868. 

He  was  received  into  this  Presbytery  as  a  licentiate  of 
the  Presbytery  of  St.  Lawrence,  and  was  ordained  at  Mendon 
as  an  evangelist  on  the  25th  of  April,  1 872.  He  died  at 
Lima,  N.  Y.,  December  4,  1875. 

During  his  last  year  in  the  Auburn  Seminary  he  over- 
worked by  preaching  at  Genoa,  N.  Y.,  and  teaching  in  the 
State  prison,  from  which  he  never  fully  recovered.  In 
August,  1868,  he  went  to  the  church  in  Seneca  Castle,  N.Y., 
where  he  remained  more  than  a  year  and  where  his  labors 
were  blessed  to  the  quickening  of  the  church.  He  then, 
Nov.  4,  1869,  took  charge  of  the  church  at  Evans  Mills, 
N.  Y.,  removing  from  there  to  East  Mendon  in  1871,  where 
he  was  ordained  in  1872.  But  failing  health  soon  compelled 
him  to  seek  a  change  of  climate,  which  resulted  in  his 
serving  the  church  at  Menasha,  Wis.,  for  eight  or  nine 
months  in  1873,  when  he  utterly  broke  down,  but  where 
his  labors  were  blessed  with  quite  a  revival  Unusual 
interest  also  had  attended  his  ministry  at  Evans  Mills. 

He  was  the  son  of  a  clergyman  who  had  preached  40 
years  at  Millbrook,  Canada. 

The  following  minute  in  regard  to  him  was  adopted  by 
Presbytery,  April  11,  1876  : 

"  Resolved^  That  this  Presbytery,  having  heard  with 
sorrow  of  the  death,  on  the  4th  of  December,  1875,  of  Rev. 
Alexander  Douglass,  a  member  of  tliis  body,  desires  to 
record  its  appreciation  of  his  earnest  and  self-denying  labors 
in  the  ministry  of  the  gospel,  to  which  he  had  consecrated 
his  life.     Tliey  rejoice  to  know  that  during  his  long  and 


HISTORY   OF   ROCHESTER   PRESBYTERY.  83 

trying  illness,  he  was  sustained  and  comforted  by  the  grace 
of  that  Savior,  whom  he  so  longed  to  commend  to  others. 
We  deeply  sympathize  with  his  bereaved  widow  and 
orphans,  and  assure  them  of  our  earnest  interest  in  their 
future  welfare.  In  attestation  of  which,  our  stated  clerk  is 
directed  to  forward  to  them  a  copy  of  this  resolution." 


KEV.  ISAAC  OAKES. 

In  regard  to  the  death  of  Rev.  Isaac  Oakes,  which 
occured  at  Nunda,  N,  Y.,  July  4,  1876,  the  Presbytery, 
under  date  of  September  20,  1876,  adopted  the  following 
minute,  which  had  been  prepared  by  Rev.  F,  De  W. 
Ward,  D.  D. : 

"  Whereas,  it  has  pleased  our  Heavenly  Father  in  his 
wise  and  sovereign  providence  to  remove  from  us  by  death 
Rev.  Isaac  Oakes,  long  a  member  of  tliis  Presbytery,  at  the 
ripe  age  of  <sl  years,  therefore  resolved,  that  a  brief  record 
of  his  life  is  not  more  our  duty  than  our  privilege,  viz.  : 
That  he  was  born  in  Haverly,  Franklin  Co.,  Mass.,  June  10, 
1795,  graduated  at  Williams  College  in  1820  and  at  Andover 
Theological  Seminary  in  1823.  He  was  licensed  by  the 
Essex  Middle  Association,  Mass.,  and  ordained  by  a  Congre- 
gational council  at  Salem.  Mass.,  Sept.  25,  1823.  He 
united  with  the  Genesee  River  Presbytery  at  the  time  of 
its  formation.  He  first  had  a  very  useful  pastorate  of  about 
eight  years  at  Westfield,  Chautauqua  Co.,  in  this  state. 
Other  charges  which  he  served  were  Lancaster,  Riga,  East 
Bethany  and  Oakland,  all  in  this  state. 

"  Resolved,  That  we  recognize  in  him  one  who  shrank  not 
from  the  Master's  call,  when  that  meant  fidelity,  amid  all 
the  toils  and  trials  of  pioneer  missionary  work  in  Western 


84  HISTORY   OF   ROCHESTER   PRESBYTERY. 

New  York.  That  we  hold  him  in  warm  remembrance,  as 
one  of  unwonted  firmness  in  his  convictions,  tenderness  in 
his  family  and  patience  in  suffering  ;  and  that  we  see  only 
a  renewed  pledge  of  the  divine  faithfulness,  in  the  abundant 
grace  with  which  God  enabled  his  servant  to  endure  the 
accumulated  infirmities  of  his  later  years,  and  the  perfect 
peace  that  attended  his  departure. 

"  Resolved^  That  we  cordially  unite  in  our  expressions  of 
sjanpathy  with  his  bereaved  and  now  desolate  companion, 
and  earnestly  commend  her  to  the  care  of  Plim,  who  is  the 
husband  of  the  widow  and  the  father  of  the  fatherless. 

"  Resolved^  That  these  resolutions  be  entered  upon  the 
records  of  this  body,  and  be  sent  for  publication  in  the 
New  York  Evangelist  and  the  Philadelphia  Presbyterian^ 
and  that  a  copy  of  the  resolutions  be  sent  to  the  bereaved 
widow." 


DAVID  F.  STEWART. 

The  following  minute,  as  prepared  by  Rev.  Charles  E. 
Robinson,  D.  D.,  was  adopted  by  Presbytery,  June  18, 1883 : 

"  David  F.  Stewart  was  born  of  Scotch  parentage  in  York. 
Livingston  Co  ,  N.  Y.,  July  16,  1848.  He  was  left  an 
orphan  at  five  years  of  age.  He  pursued  his  academic  course 
at  Brockport,  N.  Y.,  and  united  with  the  Presbyterian 
church  in  that  place  about  1864.  He  pursued  his  fresh- 
man studies  by  himself  while  teaching  in  Buffalo  in  1868. 
He  began  as  sophomore  in  Rochester  University  in  1869 
and  graduated  in  1872.  He  studied  in  Union  Theological 
Seminary  from  1872  to  1874,  spending  one  summer  vacation 
successfully  among  the  New  Hampshire  hills,  and  another 
at  Brockport,  Me.,  in  sowing  the  good  seed  of  the  word. 
The  following  winter,  during  his   last  year  of  study,  his 


HISTORY  OF  ROCHESTER  PRESBYTERY.  85 

health  gave  way.  After  a  year  of  rest,  mainly  spent  at 
Caledonia,  N.  Y.,  he  resumed  his  studies  and  graduated  at 
Union  Seminary  in  1 876.  He  supplied  the  pulpit  of  the  Sixth 
Presbyterian  Church  at  Chicago  during  the  pastor's  vacation, 
but  his  health  again  broke  down.  He  retired  to  his  brother's 
house,  D.  G.  Stewart,  Hamilton,  Minn.  In  1878  he  visited 
California,  finding  only  temporary  relief,  and  returned  to 
his  Minnesota  home,  where  he  died,  October  13,  1879,  of 
pulmonary  consumption. 

"  He  was  licensed  April  13,  1875 ;  he  was  not  ordained. 
He  was  a  man  of  a  rare  spirit." 


KEV.  CHARLES  E.  FURMAN,  D.  D. 

Rev.  Charles  E.  Furman,  D.  D.,  was  born  in  Dutchess 
County,  N".  Y.,  Dec.  13,  1801,  graduated  at  Union  College 
in  1826,  and  at  Auburn  Seminary,  1828.  He  was  licensed 
by  Cayuga  Presbytery,  June,  1828,  and  ordained  by  the 
same  Presbytery,  June,  1830.  He  came  into  this  Presby- 
tery at  the  time  of  reunion  as  one  who  had  long  been  a 
member  of  the  former  Presbytery  of  Rochester. 

The  following  minute  was  adopted  by  Presbytery,  Sept. 
20,  1880 : 

"  The  Rev.  Charles  E.  Furman,  D.  D.,  having  departed 
this  life,  since  our  last  meeting,  on  the  lOtli  of  June,  1880, 
aged  78  years  and  6  months  [at  Rochester],  Presbytery 
would  enter  upon  its  records  this  minute,  to  express  their 
sense  of  his  excellencies  as  a  Christian  and  the  value  of  his 
long  and  faithful  work  as  a  minister.  He  preached  the 
gospel  fifty-two  years,  with  the  exception  of  a  year  or  two 
before  his  death,  when  he  was  incapacitated  by  disease.  All 
this  time  he  was  a  member  of  this  body,  except  a  little  over 
ten  years,  while  he  was  a  licentiate  of  the  Presbytery  of 


86  HISTORY    OF    ROCHESTER    PRESBYTERY. 

Cayuga  and  when  he  belonged  to  the  Presbytery  of  Niag- 
ara, and  most  of  the  time  was  pastor  of  the  church  in 
Medina.  He  served  as  pastor  or  stated  supply,  five  of  the 
churches  of  this  Presbytery  twenty-two  years ;  eight  in 
Clarkson,  eight  in  Victor,  three  in  Gates,  two  in  Chili  and 
one  in  Brighton.  Large  accessions  were  made  to  most  of 
them,  as  the  fruit  of  his  earnest  labors.  He  was  emphatic- 
ally a  peacemaker  and  a  son  of  consolation,  and  was  beloved 
by  all  who  knew  him. 

"  In  the  days  of  his  vigor  he  was  uniform  in  attendance 
upon  ecclesiastical  meetings,  where  his  counsels  were  highl}^ 
prized.  Ten  years  he  served  this  Presbytery  as  its  stated 
clerk  \_i.  e.  the  former  Presbytery  of  Pochester],  and  over 
twenty -five  he  was  the  permanent  clerk  of  the  synod  For 
some  months  before  his  departure  he  was  a  great  suf- 
ferer, but  exhibited  the  same  gentle,  submissive  and  trust- 
ful spirit  that  had  uniformly  characterized  him  in  health. 
We  w^ho  knew  him  long  and  well  can  truly  say  of  him,  he 
left  the  world  better  for  having  lived  in  it." 


EEV.   CHAELES    KITTEIDGE. 

The  following  minute,  which  was  prepared  by  Eev.  D. 
E.  Eddy,  of  Brockport,  was  adopted  by  Presbytery,  Sept. 
21st,  1880 : 

"  Presbytery  is  called  upon  to  record  the  death  of  Eev. 
Charles  Kittridge,  an  aged  and  esteemed  member,  who  has 
been  connected  with  this  body  since  1870,  and  who  was  for 
twenty-five  years  previous  to  that  time  a  member  of  Eoch- 
ester  City  Presbytery.  He  died  in  Clarkson,  N.  Y.,  Sept. 
16,  1880.  He  was  born  at  Newburyport,  Mass.,  in  1808, 
graduated  at  Dartmouth  College  in  1834,  studied  at  Andover 
and  East  AVindsor  seminaries,  and  was   ordained  by   the 


HISTORY    OF    ROCHESTER    PRESBYTERY.  87 

Tolland  Association  in  1339.  He  preached  in  New  Eng- 
land for  some  years,  his  labors  being  more  or  less  interrupted 
from  time  to  time  by  ill  health.  In  1845,  he  was  installed 
as  pastor  of  the  church  of  "West  Greece,  with  which  he 
continued  his  labors  for  some  eleven  years.  He  then 
removed  to  Clarkson,  where  he  supplied  the  church  for 
about  a  year.  Severe  physical  sufferings  and  infirmities 
greatly  interfered  with  his  labors  during  the  entire  course 
of  his  ministry.  For  about  forty-five  years  he  has  been 
more  or  less  engaged  in  teaching.  His  pupils  are  scattered 
over  the  country  from  Maine  to  California,  and  are  many 
of  them  occupying  honorable  positions  as  members  of  the 
various  learned  professions.  Bro.  Kittridge  was  a  profound 
student  of  the  word  of  God.  He  had  read  the  Greek  New 
Testament  through  in  course  some  twenty-nine  times  and 
was  very  familiar  with  every  phrase  of  it. 

The  latter  months  of  his  life  were  marked  by  a  peculiarly 
rich  and  joyful  experience.  A  halo  seemed  to  him  to  rest 
upon  the  summer  as  it  passed,  so  calm  and  peaceful  and 
beatific  did  it  prove.  Among  his  latest  naemorable  utter- 
ances was  the  expression,  "The  victory  is  won — I  have 
crossed  over,  and  oh  what  peace !  " 


EEY.  MILTON  BUTTOLPH. 

The  following  sketch  of  Mr.   Buttolph  appeared  in    the 
N.  Y.  Evanqelist  soon  after  his  death  : 


"  He  was  born  in  North  East,  Dutchess  Co.,  in  1792, and 
consequently  was  88  years  of  age  in  May  last.  He  com- 
menced active  services  in  the  church  in  early  life,  but  was 
not  ordained  until  1827,  and  at  the  same  time  installed  over 
the  church  in  La  Grange,  Dutchess  County,  which  he  assisted 


88  HISTORY    OF    ROCHESTER    PRESBYTERY. 

in  organizing,  and  with  which  he  remained  nearly  ten  years, 
leaving  it  strong  and  self-snstaining.  During  these  ten 
years  he  was  called  upon  to  labor  in  nearly  every  church  in 
North  River  Presbytery,  holding  revival  meetings,  preach- 
ing three  times  a  day,  besides  holding  meetings  of  inquiry. 
Hundreds  would  be  the  subjects  of  these  meetings,  some  of 
whom  have  since  become  strong  and  stable  official  members 
of  the  churches.  Upon  leaving  La  Grange  he  removed  to 
Medina,  Orleans  County,  and  while  in  the  Niagara  Presby- 
tery in  that  county  he  was  called  upon  to  labor  in  many  of 
the  churches,  as  at  the  East,  with  great  success.  After 
several  years  in  this  county,  he  removed  to  Scottsville, 
Monroe  County.  During  his  ministry  here  a  very  precious 
revival  occurred.  The  church  was  greatly  revived,  and  a 
large  accession  was  made,  some  of  whom  to-day  are  bearing 
the  burdens  of  the  same.  He  then  went  to  Painted  Post 
and  Castile,  and  after  several  years  of  labor  in  these  churches, 
he  removed  to  Lima,  in  1857.  During  the  year  he  supplied 
the  pulpits  in  Avon  and  Richmond.  In  the  spring  of  1858 
he  removed  to  Richmond,  preaching  alternately  tliere  and 
at  Honeoye  for  four  and  one-half  years,  laboring  unceasingly 
to  bring  the  latter  church  up  to  nearly  its  present  inde- 
pendence. In  Bristol,  Ontario  County,  he  preached  four 
and  a  half  years.  In  most  of  these  chui'ches  additions  were 
made,  and  during  this  time  very  successful  work  was  done 
in  Rochester,  Bergen,  Knowlesville,  Carlton,  and  many 
other  places  which  I  cannot  now  mention.  In  the  spring 
of  1866  he  returned  to  Lima,  where  he  has  since  resided. 

"  His  wife  died  nearly  ten  years  since.  She  was  Miss 
Elizabeth  Christie,  of  Cornwall,  Ct.  By  her  he  was  greatly 
sustained  and  aided  during  his  ministerial  career,  always 
ready  and  cheerfully  meeting  the  demands  upon  her  time 
and  strength.  Besides  his  three  surviving  children,  he  had 
an  elder  son,  Edward,  a  practising  lawyer  in  the  city  of 
Poughkeepsie,  who  died  in  Castile,  in  ISSi.     Mr.  Buttolph's 


HISTORY    OF   ROCHESTER   PRESBYTERY.  89 

prominent  traits  of  character  were  firmness  of  purpose, 
untiring  energy,  ver}^  fearless  in  defending  a  cause  where  a 
principle  was  involved.  In  the  early  days  of  the  temperance 
and  slavery  questions  he  took  decided  ground  against  those 
evils,  regardless  of  popularity,  desiring  only  to  do  as  the 
Master  would  have  him.  He  was  not  content  unless  the 
church  which  he  was  serving  was  advancing,  her  graces 
growing,  and  accessions  made  to  it  of  such  as  should  be 
saved.  Like  David,  he  served  his  generation,  and  now  his 
life  work  done,  he  has  gone  to  his  reward,  to  receive  that 
crown  of  righteousness  that  was  laid  up  for  him.  He  met 
death  calmly  and  peacefully,  expressing  himself  as  ready  to 
meet  his  Savior.  He  was  next  to  the  oldest  member  of 
Rochester  Presbytery." 

He  died  at  Lima,  N.  Y.,  Nov.  21,  1880. 


EEV.  LEMUEL  BROOKS. 

The  following  sketch  has  been  furnished  by  his  daughter, 
Miss  Maria  Brooks,  of  Church ville,  N.  Y.: 

Rev.  Lemuel  Brooks,  was  born  in  Brookfield,  Conn.,  Nov. 
27,  1797 ;  united  with  the  1st  Congregational  church  in 
Washington,  Conn.,  1815  ;  and  studied  at  Phillips  Academy. 
He  took  his  theological  course  at  Auburn,  N.  Y.  He  mar- 
ried Miss  Maria  Brown,  of  Ogdeu,  N.  Y.,  1827;  died  at 
Church  ville,  N.  Y.,  Sept.  21,  1881  ;  his  wife  and  four 
daughters  survived  him. 

This  sketch  of  him  was  published  in  the  Evangelist. 

"  He  was  born  in  Brookfield,  Fairfield  Co.,  Conn.,  where 
his  grandfather  spent  all  his  life  from  early  manhood  to  old 
age,  as  pastor  of  the  Congregational  church.     He  came  to 


90  HISTORY    OF   KOCHESTER    PRESBYTERY. 

Rochester  when  he  was  twenty-six  years  old,  in  the  neigh- 
borliood  of  which  he  thereafter  continued  to  reside.  He 
was  licensed  to  preach  by  the  Presbytery  of  Rochester, 
Oct.  1,  1828,  at  Riga  Centre.  The  following  year  he  was 
ordained  and  installed  pastor  of  the  church  at  Penfield  by 
the  same  Presbytery,  Dr.  Joseph  Penney  preaching  the 
sermon.  Subsequently  he  preaclied  in  Attica,  where  his 
labors  were  greatly  blessed,  fifty  being  added  to  the  church 
in  one  year  ;  to  the  church  in  Bethany  and  in  Covington  a 
year,  where  also  there  was  an  ingathering  into  the  church. 
He  preached  in  Chili  four  years,  the  same  time  in  Church- 
ville,  and  was  settled  seven  years  over  the  church  in 
Webster.  In  consequence  of  excessive  labors,  particularly 
in  preaching  in  the  evening  and  exposing  himself  in  long 
rides  to  the  night  air  after  the  preaching,  he  lost  his  voice, 
and  in  1847  ceased  his  work  in  the  ministry  and  returned 
to  Churchville,  where  he  lived  to  the  time  of  his  death. 
He  was  an  earnest,  active  Christian,  in  full  sympathy  with 
revivals  of  religion,  and  never  so  happy  as  when  engaged  in 
them. 

"  He  made  a  profession  of  religion  in  the  nineteenth  year 
of  his  age,  when  living  in  Washington,  Conn.,  where  he 
became  one  of  the  converts  in  a  wonderful  work  of  grace, 
under  the  labors  of  Nettleton,  the  Evangelist.  During 
most  of  his  life  he  was  in  quite  moderate  circumstances. 
On  the  death  of  a  brother  a  few  years  ago  he  inherited  a 
large  fortune,  which  he  conscientiously  used  as  a  steward  of 
the  Lord,  Hamilton  College,  Auburn  Seminary,  Lake  Forest 
University,  and  all  of  our  Church  Boards  receiving  large 
sums." 

His  body  was  brought  to  Rochester  and  interred  in  Mount 
Hope. 


HISTOKY    OF    ROCHESTER     PRESBYTERY,  91 


EEY.  ELIJAH  H.  BONNEY. 

The  following  minute,  which  was  prepared  by  Kev. 
Henry  Wickes,  of  Rochester,  was  adopted  by  Presbytery, 
Sept.  19,  1882,  with  reference  to  the  death  of  Eev.  Elijah 
H.  Bonney,  who  had  been  received  from  the  Presbytery  of 
Niagara,  Oct.  21,  18Y9. 

"  Your  committee  to  present  a  minute  concerning  the 
decease  of  our  dear  Bro.  Bonney,  would  report  his  entering 
into  rest  on  the  26th  day  of  June  last,  after  a  life  of 
devoted  labor  in  the  work  of  the  Master.  He  was  born  in 
Hadley,  Mass.,  Nov,  4,  1816,  was  a  graduate  of  Amherst, 
1839,  and  of  Union  Theological  Seminary,  1811,  and  from 
1841:  to  the  time  of  his  death  labored  successfully  in  the 
churches  in  North  Bennington,  Pawlet,  and  Bellows  Falls, 
Yermont,  then  in  Yernon  Centre,  N.Y,,  Lenox,  Madison  Co., 
afterwards  in  Somerset,  Niagara  Co.,  and  last  at  Clarkson, 
from  whence  he  has  been  removed  to  the  church  above.  In 
his  removal  the  church  meets  with  the  loss  of  a  man  with 
warm  sympathies,  a  wise  counselor,  quick  to  see  the  excel- 
lencies of  others,  and  ready  to  cast  the  cloak  of  charity  over 
the  defects  and  errors  of  others. 

"  He  was  genial  and  warm-hearted  as  a  friend,  as  a  preacher 
and  teacher  scholarly,  sound,  instructive  and  evangelical, 
preaching  Jesus,  whom  he  loved  and  trusted  as  the  light  and 
life  of  the  world. 

"  We  tender  our  warm  sympathy  to  the  bereaved  family, 
and  to  the  church  which  has  lost  so  faithful  and  excellent  an 
under-shepherd,  and  pray  the  Great  Head  of  the  church  to 
sanctify  to  them  and  to  us  the  sore  affliction  wdiich  has 
been  experienced  in  his  decease." 


92  HISTORY   OF   ROCHESTER   PRESBYTERY. 


KEY.  THOMAS  A  WEED. 

Rev.  Thomas  A.  Weed  graduated  at  Oberlin  College, 
Ohio,  in  1843,  and  at  Union  Theological  Seminary  in  1847. 
He  was  licensed  by  the  Congregational  Association  of  New 
York  and  Brooklyn  in  1846,  and  ordained  by  the  Presbytery 
of  Oswego  in  1848.  He  was  received  into  this  Presbytery 
by  letter  from  the  Presbytery  of  Syracuse,  April  11th,  1871, 
and  soon  after  was  installed  pastor  of  the  church  of  Wheat- 
land (Scottsville). 

The  following  minute,  which  was  prepared  by  Rev.  J.  R. 
Page,  D.  D.,  was  adopted  by  Presbytery,  September  19th, 
1882: 

"  The  Rev.  T.  A.  Weed  having  departed  this  life  since 
our  last  meeting,  Presbytery  enter  this  record  on  their  min- 
utes, to  express  their  sense  of  his  great  excellencies  as  a 
Christian  man,  and  of  his  ability,  fidelity  and  usefulness  as  a 
minister  of  the  Word.  Our  dear  brother  died,  June  28, 
1882,  at  Saratoga  Springs,  to  which  place  he  had  gone  with 
the  hope  of  restoring  his  health,  which  had  become  greatly 
enfeebled.  Mr.  Weed  was  born  in  Stamford,  Ct.,  October 
15,  1817.  His  first  pastoral  charge  was  in  Mexico,  Oswego 
County,  N.  Y.  Here  he  labored  with  great  assiduity  and 
success  for  a  period  of  twenty-three  years.  He  manifested 
great  interest  in  matters  of  education,  and  had  a  large  share 
in  shaping  the  sentiment  of  the  community  in  which  he  so 
long  lived. 

"  He  was  called  to  Scottsville  in  1870,  where  he  labored 
until  his  death.  Genial  and  kindly  qualities  were  his.  Of 
commanding  presence  in  the  pulpit,  he  was  very  earnest, 
able  and  eloquent  in  his  ministrations.  The  large  attend- 
ance of  both  the  brethren  of  the  Presbytery,  and  of  the  com- 
munity in  which  he  lived,  at  the  memorial  services  held 


HISTORY   OIP   ROCHESTER   PrESBYTERY.  93 

after  his  death  testified  to  the  great  esteem  in  which  he  was 
held,  and  the  profonnd  grief  felt  by  all  at  his  death.  Above 
all,  none  who  knew  him  questioned  his  earnest,  devoted 
piety.  We  sympathize  with  the  bereaved  family  and  con- 
gregation, and  exhort  them  one  and  all,  '  His  faith  follow, 
considering  the  end  of  his  conversation,  Jesus  Christ,  the 
same  yesterday,  to-day  and  forever.'  " 


REV.  GEOEGE  McCAETNEY. 

The  following  minute  was  presented  by  Eev.  Jonathan 
Copeland,  of  Webster,  and  adopted  by  Presbytery,  June  18, 
1883: 

"  Eev.  George  McCartney,  who  was  for  many  years  an 
esteemed  member  of  this  Presbytery,  died  in  Banks,  Mich., 
November  6,  1882,  in  the  72d  year  of  his  age.  He  was 
born  and  educated  in  Scotland  for  the  ministry,  and  came 
to  this  country  while  young,  intending  only  to  make  a  brief 
visit  and  return ;  but  finding  the  ocean  passage  severe,  he 
concluded  to  remain,  and  make  this  his  home.  He  engaged 
at  first  in  teaching  and  editing  a  paper  at  Harrisburg,  Pa. 
Afterwards  he  was  ordained  and  installed  pastor  of  the 
Dutch  Church  of  Watervliet,  N.  Y.,  where  he  had  a  very 
successful  pastorate  of  eleven  years.  Then  he  labored  for  a 
time  at  Beacon  Hill,  and  afterwards  removed  to  Webster, 
and  became  the  pastor  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  of  that 
place,  and  continued  seven  years,  when  he  was  obliged  to 
retire  on  account  of  feeble  liealth.  This  was  his  last  work. 
He  was  highly  esteemed  in  this  relation,  both  for  his  piety 
and  able  ministry  ;  and  his  name  among  the  people  is  still 
held  in  affectionate  remembrance.  He  was  a  diligent  stu- 
dent, possessed  a  clear  and  logical  mind,  was  very  thorough 


94  HISTORY    OF    ROCHESTER    PRESBYTERY. 

in  his  investigations  of  all  subjects  to  which  he  gave  his 
attention,  and  when  his  conclusions  were  reached  was  firmly 
settled  in  his  opinions,  was  an  able  preacher  and  very  warmly 
attached  to  the  work  of  the  ministry  and  deeply  interested 
in  all  that  related  to  the  church  of  Christ.  The  last  seven 
years  of  his  life  were  years  of  confinement,  and  much  of  the 
time  helplessness,  but  he  gave  ample  evidence  of  the  sus- 
taining power  of  divine  grace,  so  long  as  his  mind  was  clear. 
He  left  a  wife  and  two  sons,  one  of  whom  is  a  minister  of  the 
gospel,  and  three  daughters,  to  all  of  whom  the  brethren  of 
Presbytery  extend  their  cordial  sympathy.  Resolved,  that 
a  copy  of  this  minute  be  sent  to  the  family," 


REV.  THOMAS  AITKEN. 

Rev.  Thomas  Aitken  was  born  in  the  town  of  Falkirk, 
Sterlingshire,  Scotland,  November  26,  1799,  graduated  at 
the  University  of  Glasgow  in  1819,  and  at  the  United  Seces- 
sion Seminary  of  Selkirk  and  Glasgow  in  1823.  He  was 
licensed  by  the  Presbytery  of  Sterling  and  Falkirk,  June  8, 
1821,  and  was  ordained  by  the  Presbytery  of  Cupar  of  the 
United  Secession  Church,  June  2,  1829.  As  early  as  1825 
he  went  as  a  missionary  to  the  Orkney  Islands,  and  after  a 
term  of  service  covering  about  thirteen  years  in  the  old 
country,  came  to  the  United  States.  Here  he  first  preached 
a  short  time  at  Fall  River,  Mass.,  but  soon  settled  in  Sparta, 
where  he  found  a  people  allied  to  him  by  ties  both  natural 
and  ecclesiastical,  with  whom  he  maintained  the  most  tender 
pastoral  relations  up  to  the  time  of  his  death,  March  11, 
1884, — a  period  of  about  forty-five  years  ; — he  having  been 
released  from  the  active  duties  of  the  ministry  less  than  two 


RF^ 


REV.    THOMAS     AITKEN. 


HISTORY   Of  ROCHESTER    PRESBYTERY.  95 

years  previous  to  that  date.  In  him  the  Scotch  clergy  had 
a  learned,  eloquent  and  faithful  representative.  Strongly 
conservative  in  his  tendencies,  and  very  distrustful  of  inno- 
vations, his  advocacy  of  the  old  school  was  so  earnest  that  it 
seemed  impossible  that  he  ever  could  be  reconciled  to  the 
union,  but  when  once  the  two  bodies  came  together  there  was 
not  a  man  in  all  our  Presbytery  who  appeared  to  enjoy  the 
love  feast  more  than  he.  In  social  life  he  mingled  most 
delightfully  with  the  families  of  his  charge.  His  love  of 
poetry,  coupled  with  a  very  retentive  memory,  enabled  him 
to  recite  copious  extracts  from  his  favorite  authors  for  their 
entertainment. 

Dating  from  his  licensure  his  entire  ministry  was  a  little 
less  than  sixty  years,  during  fifty-eight  of  which  he 
promptly  and  untiringly  met  the  demands  of  both  pulpit 
and  people. 


KEY.  JOSEPH  R.  PAGE,  D.  D. 

The  Rev.  Joseph  R.  Page,  D.  D.,  was  born  in  New 
Brunswick,  N.  J.,  August  1,  1817.  He  pursued  studies  pre- 
paratory to  the  ministry  with  Rev.  Alonzo  Wilton,  and  was 
licensed  by  the  New  York  City  Association  in  1838,  and 
ordained  by  the  Oneida  Association,  February  6,  1839,  at 
Plymouth,  N.  Y.,  where  he  preached  for  about  a  year.  He 
commenced  his  ministry  at  Perry,  N.  Y.,  in  1839,  which, 
with  two  interruptions,  continued  until  1868.  The  first  of 
these  was  that  he  might  gratify  his  desire  for  a  more  thorough 
theological  course,  which  he  secured  at  Auburn,  graduating 
with  the  class  of  ISi-l,  and  second,  that  he  might  accept  the 
pastorate  of  the  Congregational  Church  at  Stratford,  Conn., 
for  the  years  1857-8.     After  leaving  Perry  in  1868,  he  sup- 


96  HISTOEY    OF    ROCHESTER   PRESBYTERY. 

plied  the  pulpit  at  East  Avon  for  five  years,  and  then  was 
settled  as  pastor  at  Brighton  for  ten  years.  He  died  of 
heart  disease  in  Rochester,  December  17, 1884.  As  a  mem- 
ber of  the  former  Presbytery  of  Ontario,  he  was  widely 
known  in  this  section  as  very  zealous  for  the  New  School 
Assembly,  and  prominent  in  the  controversies  which  then 
prevailed.  The  merging  of  Ontario  with  this  Presbytery 
was  largely  the  result  of  his  influence  ;  and  that  his  whole 
heart  was  enlisted  in  the  welfare  of  this  body  was  attested 
by  the  fact  that  during  the  fourteen  years  of  his  member- 
ship he  was  present  at  every  stated  meeting,  and  at  almost 
all  the  special  and  adjourned  meetings,  giving  the  strictest 
attention  to  business  from  the  commencement  to  the  final 
correction  of  the  minutes.  For  fifteen  years  he  was  a  mem- 
ber of  the  Board  of  Commissioners  of  Auburn  Seminary, 
and  for  about  twenty  years  was  a  member  of  the  Board  of 
Trustees  of  Ingham  University.  While  as  a  writer  he  was 
clear,  concise,  accurate  and  forcible,  and  as  a  preacher  was 
arugmentative,  scriptural,  earnest  and  convincing,  it  was  as  a 
man  among  men,  dealing  with  living  issues  and  meeting 
practical  questions,  that  the  peculiar  force  of  his  character 
found  its  expression.  On  the  floor  of  an  ecclesiastical  body 
he  was  perfectly  at  home.  Peady  in  debate,  ingenious  in 
the  arrangement  of  his  points,  honest  in  his  convictions  and 
urgent  in  his  pleading,  none  could  fail  to  recognize  in  him 
a  successful  leader.  For  fifteen  years  the  correspondent  of 
the  New  York  Evangelist,  for  Western  New  York,  the 
churches  in  this  section  knew  not  how  greatly  they  were 
indebted  to  his  vigorous  pen,  until  it  was  laid  down  never 
again  to  be  resumed.  His  ministry  of  forty-six  years  was 
long,  laborious  and  successful. 


tie  died 


which  then 

''■•  sbytery 

whole 

:ed 

.•r- 

.uil  iit  almost 

th"  strictest 

e  final 

a  mem- 

11  Seminary, 

■  f-  P.oard  of 

he  was 

her  was 

x^as  as  a 


^^m^mm-'  J 


REV.  J.   R.   PAGE,   D.  D. 


HISTORY    OF   ROCHESTER   PRESBYTElRY.  f)7 


KEY.  MALCOLM  N.  McLAREN,  D.  D. 

The  following  minute,  which  was  prepared  by  Rev.  F. 
De  W.  Ward,  D.  D  of  Geueseo,  was  adopted  by  Presbytery, 
September  20,  1887 : 

Malcolm  Neil  McLaren,  D.  D.,  closed  his  long  life  at  his 
home  in  Auburn,  N.  Y.,  July  1st,  1887.  At  the  funeral 
services  the  city  pastors  were  represented  by  Rev.  C.  C. 
Hemingway ;  the  Theological  Seminary  by  Prof.  R.  B. 
Welch ;  Rochester  Presbytery  by  Rev.  Dr.  Parsons,  of 
Mount  Morris,  and  Rev.  Dr.  Ward,  of  Geneseo.  The  three 
first  named  conducted  the  devotional  exercises  ;  the  last 
because  of  long  acquaintance  and  special  intimacy  of  more 
than  forty  years,  by  request  of  the  family,  delivered  the 
address. 

His  biography,  in  brief  words,  is  this  :  Born  at  Albany, 
N.  Y.,  July  1st,  1799,  educated  at  Union  College,  (1824) 
and  at  Princeton  Theological  Seminary  (1826j  ;  married 
Miss  Patty,  who,  with  two  daughters  and  a  son  followed  his 
remains  to  their  last  resting  place.  He  ministered  as  stated 
supply  or  pastor  at  Brodalban,  Hamptonburgh,  Johnstown, 
Rochester  First  Church,  ISTewburgh  and  Caledonia.  Gifted 
and  good  are  terms  truthfully  applicable  to  our  deceased 
associate.  Gifted  with  a  form  tall  erect  and  graceful, 
specially  courteous  in  manner  wherever,  seen ;  endowed 
with  a  mind  well  disciplined  by  study ;  having  few  equals 
in  rhetoric  and  expressive  pulpit  delivery.  For  all  these 
and  for  goodness  of  heart,  and  fidelity  as  preacher  and 
pastor  he  will  long  be  remembered  in  the  many  places  of  his 
abode  and  labors.  His  was  an  active,  useful  life,  a  peaceful 
death,  and  wlio  can  doubt  a  blessed  immortality,  in  the  pres- 
ence of  Him  whom  he  long  and  faithfully  served,  and  whose 
name  was  the  last  upon  his  lips.  By  his  own  request  there 
was  placed  upon  his  coffin  a  copy  of  the  Bible  which  was 


08  HlSTOEY    OF    ROCHESTER   PRESBYTERY. 

daily  read  at  family  worship  ;  and  an  edition,  dating  back  a 
lialf  century,  of  the  Westminster  Confession  of  Faith,  whose 
doctrines  had  so  firmly  imbedded  a  place  in  his  intelligent 
faith,  and  were  defended  as  occasion  required,  with  a  fear- 
lessness worthy  of  his  Scotch  ancestry  and  early  Presbyte- 
rian training. 

Thus  lived  and  labored  and  fell  asleep  at  the  advanced 
age  of  eighty-nine  years,  the  next  but  one  of  the  oldest  of 
our  members  ;  leaving  a  name  ever  to  be  mentioned  M'ith 
fraternal  esteem  ;  an  example  worthy  of  personal  imitation. 
Few  of  us  will  reach  his  age,  but  be  ours  the  desire  and 
earnest  endeavor  so  to  preach  from  the  pulpit,  so  to  counsel 
from  house  to  house,  so  to  plead  with  our  fellow  men,  and 
pray  to  our  God  above,  that  whether  called  away  as  many 
are  in  mid-life,  or  with  powers  exhausted  as  were  those  of 
our  venerable  father  in  Christ,  we  can  take  up  the  valedic- 
tory utterance  of  the  blessed  Jesus  :  "  I  have  finished  O  Lord 
the  work  thou  gavest  me  to  do." 


REV.  BENJAMIN  McNEIL. 

The  following  minute  was  adopted  by  Presl)ytery,  April 
9,1889: 

The  Rev.  Benjamin  F.  McNeil  was  born  April  4,  1826, 
in  the  town  of  Genoa,  Cayuga  Co.,  N.  Y. 

Graduating  at  Hamilton  College  in  1852,  he  for  some 
years  after  was  a  successful  teacher  in  Pennsylvania,  and 
was  also  connected  with  several  newspapers. 

In  1868,  he  graduated  at  Union  Seminary,  N.  Y.,  and  in 
May  of  the  same  year  was  licensed  by  the  Presbytery  of 
New  York. 

Devoting  himself  to  the  Home  Missionary  work,  he  was 
ordained  as  an  evangelist  in  October,  1868,  at  St.  Louis,  Mo. 


HISTORY    OF   ROCHESTER   PRESBYTERY.  99 

He  soon  gathered  a  church  at  Beatrice,  Neb.,  where  he  was 
instrumental  in  building  a  church  edifice.  He  organized  a 
number  of  churches,  and  endured  great  hardships  until  he 
was  prostrated  by  a  sunstroke  in  the  summer  of  1874,  from 
the  effects  of  which  he  never  fully  recovered.  Returning 
to  the  East  and  unable  longer  to  preach,  he  made  vigorous 
efforts  to  maintain  his  usefulness  by  editing  religious  news- 
papers, but  his  poor  health  compelled  him  in  a  few  years  to 
abandon  all  efforts  of  the  kind  and  to  seek  rest  in  the  min- 
isters' home  at  Perth  Amboy. 

It  was  while  editing  a  religious  newspaper  in  the  city  of 
Rochester  that  he  united  with  this  Presbytery,  April  1 8, 
1879,  by  letter  from  the  Presbytery  of  Newark  ;  and  though 
he  remained  here  only  about  two  years,  he  never  transferred 
his  relationship  to  any  other  body. 

Owing  to  his  poor  health,  his  mind  became  much  impaired. 
While  on  a  visit  to  his  mother  in  Adams,  Berkshire  Co., 
Mass.,  he  died,  November  26,  1887. 


REV.  CHARLES  GILLETTE. 

The  following  sketch  was  prepared  by  the  Rev.  John  E. 
Baker,  of  Rochester,  and  was  adopted  by  Presbytery,  April 
lOth,  1889  : 

Rev.  Charles  Gillette,  a  member  of  tliis  Presbytery, 
closed  his  earthly  life,  and  ministerial  labors  at  Rochester, 
N.  Y.,  December  9,  1887,  aged  74. 

He  was  born  in  Halifax,  Vt.,  Oct.  17,  1813.  His  parents 
removed  during  his  early  childhood  to  Ox  Bow,  Jefferson 
Co.,  N.  Y.  He  was  fitted  for  college  at  Lowville  Academy, 
and  Whitesboro,  N.  Y.,  graduated  at  Amherst,  Mass.,  in 
1839,  and  at  Union  Theological  Seminary,  N.  Y.,  in  1842 


loo  HISTORY    OF   ROCHESTfiR    PRESBlfffiRV. 

His  first  ministerial  charge  was  in  Granville,  Washington 
Co.,  N.  Y.,  where  he  remained  from  1844  to  1847.  He 
next  supplied  the  cliurch  in  Huntington  for  one  year.  In 
1848,  he  was  installed  pastor  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  in 
Fort  Covington,  Franklin  Co.,  N.  Y.,  where  he  remained 
until  1858.  In  December,  1858,  he  began  preaching  in 
Milford,  Otsego  Co.,  N.  Y.,  where  his  pastorate  continued 
twelve  years.  In  1871,  he  took  charge  of  the  Congregational 
Church  in  Manns ville,  Jefferson  Co.,  IST.Y.,  remaining  with 
it  three  years. 

His  last  charge  was  in  Red  Creek,  Wayne  Co.,  N.  Y., 
which  also  lasted  three  years. 

Ten  years  before  his  death  he  removed  to  Rochester, 
N.  Y.,  for  the  purpose  of  educating  his  children  His  subse- 
quent ministerial  labors  were  confined  to  occasionally 
preaching  in  churches  near  the  city. 

He  left  a  wife  and  four  children,  pecuniarily  well  provided 
for. 

While  in  the  Theological  Seminary,  he  established  a 
mission  on  50th  Street  that  grew  ultimately  into  a  large 
church.  •  While  located  at  Milford,  he  was  stated  clerk  of 
the  Presbytery  for  10  years.  He  was  a  genial  man — a 
faithful  and  successful  pastor,  and  a  kind  husband  and 
father.     His  end  was  peaceful.     He  sleeps  in  Jesus. 


REV.  CHARLES  STODDARD  DURFEE. 

The  following  minute,  which  was  prepared  by  the  Rev. 
S.  A.  Freeman,  was  adopted  by  Presbytery  April  11,  1888: 

Rev.  Charles  Stoddard  Durfee,  a  member  of  the  Pres- 
bytery of  Rochester,  after  a  lingering  illness  of  several 
months  duration,  died  at  East  Bloomfield,  N.  Y.,  Saturday, 
December  24,  1887.  He  was  born  July  22,  1844,  at  South 
Dedham,  Mass.,  where  Ins  father,  Rev.  Calvin  Durfee,  was 


HISTORY    OF   ROCHESTER    PRESBYTERY.  101 

for  fifteen  years  pastor  of  the  Congregational  Cliurcli.  A 
graduate  of  Williams  College  in  1864,  converted  to  Christ 
the  year  before  his  graduation,  his  direct  preparation  for 
the  gospel  ministry  was  made  at  Hartford  Theological 
Seminary,  where  he  graduated  in  1869.  Ordained  the  same 
year,  he  was  installed  as  pastor  of  the  First  Presbyterian 
Church,  Newburyport,  Mass.,  where  he  remained  until  1872, 
when  he  accepted  a  call  to  the  Oakwood  Avenue  Presby- 
terian Church,  Troy,  N.  Y.  Thence,  in  1874,  he  was  called 
to  the  Central  Presbyterian  Church,  Geneseo,  of  which  he 
remained  pastor  until  1880.  In  that  year  he  resigned  his 
pastorate  for  the  purpose  of  facilitating  the  reunion  of  the 
First  and  Central  Churches  of  Geneseo,  whose  separation  of 
more  than  twenty  years  duration,  was  a  local  relic  of  the 
old  divisions  in  the  church  at  large  so  happily  healed  in 
1870.  The  successful  accomplishment  of  this  reunion, 
toward  which  our  beloved  brother,  entirely  of  his  own 
motion,  took  the  first  essential  stej)S,  was  a  consummation 
whose  fruitful  results  for  good  are  largely  due  to  his  self- 
abnegation,  creditable  alike  to  the  head  and  heart  of  the 
true  disciple  of  the  blessed  Master, — a  consummation  which 
could  probably  never  have  been  attained  without  his  entire 
willingness  to  sacrifice  himself  and  his  apparent  interests  to 
what  he  felt  to  be  the  highest  welfare  of  Christ's  church 
and  cause  in  a  community  which  he  dearly  loved. 

After  a  pastorate  of  three  years  with  the  Presbyterian 
Church,  Liverpool,  N.  Y.,  in  May,  1884,  he  accepted  a  call 
to  the  Congregational  Church  of  East  Bloomfield,  N".  Y.,  in 
the  pastorate  of  which  he  continued  up  to  the  time  of  his 
death.  A  faithful  student  of  God's  word,  a  clear  and 
forcible  preacher  of  the  Gospel,  a  kind  and  faithful  pastor, 
courteous  and  attractive  in  the  intercourse  of  social  and 
domestic  life,  thoughtful  of  the  welfare  of  all  about  him, 
of  whatever  age  or  outward  circumstances,  our  brother  was 
characterized   by   the  unyielding  courage  with  which  he 


102  HISTORY    OF    ROCHESTER    PRESBYTERY. 

adhered  to  his  convictions  of  truth  and  duty  at  cost  of  what- 
ever trial  to  himself.  Throughout  his  useful  life  he  showed 
a  deep  interest  in  the  work  of  Christian  missions,  Christian 
temperance,  and  all  that  pertain  to  the  welfare  of  the 
young.  His  habitual  open-handed,  though  unobtrusive 
beneficence  ministered  to  the  need  of  many  a  sufferer.  As 
a  devoted  minister  of  Christ's  gospel  and  as  a  brother 
beloved,  we  would  revere  his  name  and  honor  his  memory. 
May  the  Lord  help  us  who  remain,  heirs  of  a  like  precious 
faith,  to  be  true  to  our  high  vocation,  and  to  work  with 
redoubled  diligence  while  our  day  lasts  ! 

To  his  bereaved  widow,  Mrs.  Ellen  R.  Durfee,  and  his 
five  fatherless  sons  we  would  express  our  deep  sympathy  in 
what  is  our  common  loss, — our  joy  in  the  sweet  peace  given 
him  during  his  last  days  by  the  Master  whom  he  loved  and 
trusted.  May  such  peace  be  theirs  and  ours  in  all  the 
unknown  future!  In  token  of  our  sympathy  and  kind 
wishes  our  stated  clerk  will  forward  to  Mrs.  Durfee  a  copy 
of  this  minute,  signed  by  himself  and  the  moderator  of 
Presbytery. 


KEY.  DAVID  L.  HUNN. 

The  following  sketch,  as  prepared  by  the  Rev.  George 
Patton,  of  Rochester,  was  adopted  by  Presbytery,  April  9, 
1889: 

Rev.  David  L.  Hunn  was  born  at  Colerain,  Mass.,  on 
November  5,  1789.  His  father  was  a  soldier  of  the  Revo- 
lutionary war,  and  suffered  and  survived  the  hardships  of 
the  infamous  ''Jersey  prison  ship."  Mr.  Hunn  was  pre- 
pared for  college  at  Munson,  Mass.,  under  the  tuition  of  the 
Rev.  Levi  Collins.     He  entered  Yale  College  in  1809,  and 


HISTORY   OF   KOCHESTER   PRESBYTERY.  103 

graduated  in  1813,  with  a  class  of  70  members,  under  tlie 
presidency  of  Dr.  Timothy  Dwight.  Mr.  Hunn  studied 
theology  at  Andover  for  three  years,  and  was  ordained  to 
preach  the  gospel  on  the  ITtli  of  February,  1817.  His  first 
pastoral  charge  was  at  Greenland,  Mass.  After,  he  had 
charge  of  the  churches  of  Sandwich,  Mass.,  East  AV^indsor, 
Conn.,  North  Hadley,  Mass.,  Whitesboro,  Lenox  and  Som- 
erset, N.  Y. 

Mr.  Hunn  was  married  to  Miss  Eunice  Saxton,  of  Wil- 
braham,  Mass.,  in  1817.  They  lived  together  fifty-five 
years ;  they  had  eight  children,  seven  of  whom  survive  them. 
Mr.  Hunn  spent  most  of  his  active  ministry  in  the  Congre- 
gational Church,  and  was  quite  active  in  church  courts,  but 
for  many  years  he  was  connected  with  the  Presbyterian 
Church,  and  was  a  member  of  Rochester  Presbytery.  He 
retired  from  the  active  duties  of  the  ministry  in  1860,  but 
preached  occasionally  up  to  1880.  For  several  years  he 
attended  the  Third  Presbyterian  Church  of  Rochester.  In 
1881,  he  went  to  Buffalo  to  live  with  his  son,  and  as  long  as 
he  was  able,  attended  the  North  Presbyterian  Church  in  that 
city.  He  was  very  earnest  in  educational  and  church  work 
and  faithful  in  his  pastoral  and  religious  duties.  He  voted 
at  every  Presidential  election  since  1812,  up  to  the  time  of 
his  death,  and  was  greatly  interested  in  public  affairs.  He 
could  not  be  called  an  orator  in  the  pulpit,  but  he  was  dig- 
nified, earnest,  had  a  well-trained  voice  and  excellent  dic- 
tion. He  was  a  good,  faithful  minister  of  the  Lord  Jesus 
Christ. 

He  died  at  Buffalo,  January  29,  1888,  at  the  age  of  98 
years.  He  had  long  been  the  oldest  living  graduate  of  Yale 
and  Andover,  and  was  thought  to  be  the  oldest  minister  in 
the  country.  He  was  buried  at  Mount  Hope,  in  Rochester, 
N.  Y.  He  was  carried  to,  and  laid  in  his  grave  by  several 
of  his  brother  ministers  in  the  full  and  blessed  hope  of  a 
glorious  resurrection  through  Christ. 


104.  HISTORY    OF    ROCHESTER    PRESBYTERY. 


EEY.  ALEXANDER  SYLVESTER  HOYT. 

The  following  minute,  as  prepared  by  Rev.  C.  B.  Gardner, 
of  Rochester,  was  adopted  by  Presbytery  April  10,  1889  : 

Rev.  Alexander  Sylvester  Hoyt  died  March  25,  1888.  He 
was  stricken  with  paralysis  in  the  pulpit  in  the  midst  of  the 
Sabbath  morning  service.  After  lingering  several  days  and 
experiencing  a  renewal  of  the  stroke,  he  passed  away  in 
unconsciousness  on  the  following  Sabbath.  He  had  expected 
on  that  day  to  receive  into  the  communion  of  the  church  a 
considerable  number  of  the  young  people  of  his  flock,  who 
had  been  brought  to  faith  in  Christ  through  his  laboi-s.  Even 
after  his  first  stroke  he  had  hoped  that  he  would  recover 
sufficiently  to  perform  that  service  upon  which  his  heart  had 
been  set.  But  it  was  ordered  otherwise,  and  the  expected 
communion  Sabbath  was  the  day  of  his  death.  He  had 
wrought  assiduously  and  effectively  in  the  charge  committed 
to  him,  and  died  at  his  post  greatly  honored  and  beloved  by 
his  people. 

He  was  born  at  "West  Milton,  Saratoga  Co.,  N.  Y.,  July 
24,  1839.  He  graduated  from  Union  College  in  the  class  of 
1864,  and  from  Princeton  Theological  Seminary  in  the  class 
of  1868.  He  was  licensed  by  the  Presbytery  of  Albany,  in 
June,  1867,  and  w^as  ordained  by  the  Classis  of  Saratoga, 
October  20, 1868.  His  first  charge  was  at  Greenwich,  Wash- 
ington County,  N,  Y.,  where  he  remained  but  a  few  years. 
From  Greenwich  he  removed  to  Ballston  Centre,  Saratoga 
County,  where  he  continued  in  a  successful  pastorate  for  a 
period  of  twelve  years.  From  Ballston  Centre  he  was  called 
to  the  pastorate  of  the  church  in  Ogden,  as  the  successor  of 
Rev.  A.  McA.  Thorburn. 

In  the  beginning  of  his  ministry  his  physical  appearance  did 
not  seem  to  give  promise  of  a  long  life  of  service.  His  first  text 
at  Greenwich  was — "I  shall  be  satisfied  when  I  awake  in  thy 


HISTORY   OF   EOCHESTER   PRESBYTERY.  105 

likeQess,"  and  one  who  was  present  remarked  that  the  young 
man  himself  would  soon  prove  a  personal  exemplification  of 
the  text.  But  his  health  seemed  to  improve  in  the  ministry, 
and  while  at  Ogden  he  was  apparently  possessed  of  suffi- 
cient robustness  for  a  long  life. 

Brother  Hoyt  was  a  close  student.  He  delighted  in  his 
books,  and  his  mental  tendencies  were  towards  the  investi- 
gation of  metaphysical  and  theological  questions.  He  had 
been  closely  engaged  for  some  time  before  his  death  upon  a 
work  in  criticism  of  Edwards  on  The  Freedom  of  the  Will, 
which  he  intended  to  publish.  He  was  an  instructive,  if 
not  an  attractive  preacher,  and  an  acceptable  pastor.  He 
was  a  staunch  defender  and  upholder  of  what  he  regarded 
as  truth  and  right  in  all  moral  and  ecclesiastical  questions. 
He  was  in  deed  a  strict  disciplinarian,  a  thorough  reformer, 
and  an  earnest  and  godly  man. 

He  saw  that  death  was  near  and  was  ready.  Funeral  ser- 
vices conducted  by  ministers  of  the  Presbytery,  without 
funeral  drapery  or  tolling  of  the  bell — as  he  had  desired — 
were  held  in  the  church,  filled  to  overflowing  by  the  bereaved 
people,  on  Tuesday  following  his  death,  and  on  the  follow- 
ing day  the  body  was  removed  to  Johnstown,  N.  Y.,  for 
burial.  The  funeral  services  were  conducted  by  Kev.  John 
E.  Baker,  assisted  by  Eev.  A.  S.  Freeman  and  Eev.  C.  B, 
Gardner,  also  Kev.  Mr.  Mitchell,  of  Sweden. 


EEV.  WILLIAM  H.  MILLHAM. 

This  sketch  was  written  by  Eev.  S.  A.  Freeman,  D.  D. 

William  H.  Millham,  the  fifth  child  of  James  Millham,  a 
farmer  of  Charlton,  Saratoga  Co.,  was  born  in  1840.  Not- 
withstanding his  lack  of  early  religious  training,  while  yet 
a  lad  he  began  attending  a  Presbyterian  Church  at  a  con- 
siderable distance  from  his  home,  where  he  was  converted 


106  HISTORY    OF    ROCHESTER    PRESBYTERY. 

to  Christ.  Inclined  at  first  to  rebel  at  the  loss  of  a  hand  at 
the  age  of  seventeen,  he  afterwards  often  said  that  it  was 
the  greatest  blessing  in  disguise  of  his  life.  Led  to  dedicate 
himself  to  the  ministry  of  the  Gospel,  he  graduated  at  Union 
College  in  1864,  and  at  Princeton  Theological  Seminary  in 
1867.  Beginning  his  ministry  in  the  Presbyterian  Church 
at  Galway,  ]^.  Y.,  in  1867,  where  he  was  ordained  in  J  868, 
he  came  to  Livonia  in  1871,  Thoroughly  consecrated  to 
his  work,  full  of  sympathy  for  all.  especially  for  the  young, 
studious  and  prayerful  in  preparation  for  the  pulpit,  diligent 
in  pastoral  work,  notably  consistent  in  his  daily  life,  from 
the  first  he  won  his  way  to  the  hearts  of  his  people  for  him- 
self, for  his  Master,  and  for  his  message.  Their  confidence, 
their  respect,  and  their  warm  affection  were  his  to  the  end. 
This  was  true,  too,  among  other  denominations,  his  Catholic 
spirit  doing  much  to  encourage  Christian  union  in  every 
good  work.  His  labors  w^ere  blessed  with  revival  after 
revival,  reaching  those  of  all  ages  and  conditions  in  life. 
His  conduct  of  services  at  such  seasons  was  marked  by  a 
happy  tact  in  the  choice  of  the  right  word,  in  the  use  of 
the  right  hymn  at  the  fitting  moment,  delighting  as  he  did 
in  sacred  song.  The  sway  of  his  influence  quickening  the 
life  of  the  church  along  all  lines,  was  firm  and  forceful  as  it 
was  gentle.  The  beneficent  agencies  of  the  church  at  large 
were  heartily  supported.  He  was  through  life  a  wise  and 
whole  souled  friend  of  the  temperance  cause.  Warm- 
hearted and  sunny-tempered,  kind  and  courteous  in  his 
bearing  toward  his  brethren  in  the  ministry,  his  presence 
among  them  was  always  conducive  to  the  sweetening  of 
Christian  fellowship,  the  deepening  and  strengthening  of 
their  spirituality.  The  unction  with  which  his  carefully 
prepared  sermons  were  delivered  w^as  an  inspiration  to  all 
who  heard  them.  Pastor  for  fourteen  blessed  years  of  a 
church  strictly  rural,  the  spirit  and  methods  of  the  ministry 
of  William  H.  Millham  made  it  a  worthy  model  for  young 


HISTORY    OF    ROCHESTER     PRESBYTERY.  107 

men  laboring  in  similar  fields,  or,  indeed,  anywhere.  Ilis 
quiet  influence  was  largely  helpful  of  that  harmony  in  which 
earnest  gospel  work  has  characterized  Rochester  Presbytery 
since  the  re-union.  Accepting  a  call  to  Hillsdale,  Mich., 
in  18^5,  he  there  filled  out  the  measure  of  his  abounding 
usefulness,  almost  the  last  Sabbath  of  his  active  ministry 
bieng  gladdened  by  the  reception  of  thirty  young  converts. 
A  lingering  struggle  with  disease  closed  peacefully,  April 
28,  1888. 

He  was  married  in  1867  to  Miss  Augusta  Tracy  Barbour, 
daughter  of  Rev.  Philander  Barbour.  She  survives  him, 
with  three  sons  and  one  dauorhter. 


REV.  LUTHER  CONKLIN. 

Rev.  Luther  Conklin  was  born  at  Aurora,  Erie  Co.,  N.Y. 
March  29th,  1817,  graduated  at  Hamilton  College  in  1841, 
and  at  Auburn  Seminary  in  1814 ;  was  licensed  by  the  Pres- 
bytery of  Cayuga,  April  18,  1844,  and  was  ordained  by  the 
Presbytery  of  Onondaga  in  1845. 

From  a  biographical  sketch  prepared  by  his  brother,  the 
Rev.  Oliver  P.  Conklin,  of  Rochester,  and  adopted  by 
Presbytery  April  9,  1889,  the  following  facts  respecting 
his  history  are  gathered  : 

He  was  the  sixth  in  descent  from  Ananias  Conklin  who 
with  his  brother  John  came  from  England  about  1640  and 
settled  first  in  Mass.,  for  ten  years  and  then  at  East  Hamp- 
ton, Long  Island.  His  mother  was  a  Guthrie,  whose  ances- 
tors were  of  Scotch  descent,  and  came  to  this  country  fi-om 
the  north  of  Ireland.  He  was  the  youngest  of  eight 
brothers  and  sisters,  his  father  dying  when  he  was  ordy  six 
years  old.     He  was  converted  when  he  was  about  sixteen, 


108  HISTORY   OF   KOCHESTER    PRESBYTERY. 

and  two  or  three  years  later  began  to  prepare  for  college 
with  a  view  to  preaching  the  gospel.  He  entered  college 
when  he  was  twenty-one,  where  he  was  intimately  associ- 
ated with  Profs.  North  and  Dwight,  and  Rev.  Drs,  Kendall, 
Nelson  and  Knox,  who  were  his  fellow  students. 

After  graduating  at  Auburn  in  1844,  he  soon  after  began 
his  ministry  in  the  Presbyterian  Church  at  Liverpool,  N.Y., 
at  the  age  of  27. 

He  was  married  at  Leicester,  Mass.,  in  November,  1844, 
to  Miss  Almira  Henshaw  with  whom  he  became  acquainted 
while  she  was  principal  of  the  Female  Seminary  in  Fulton, 
N.  Y.,  who  survives  him. 

After  a  service  of  two  years  at  Liverpool,  he  took  charge 
of  the  Congregational  Church  in  Moravia,  N.  Y.,  where  he 
labored  very  successfully  five  years.  He  then  removed  to 
Freeport,  Maine,  where  he  spent  about  six  years  in  a 
pastorate  which  seems  to  have  been  very  satisfactory  to  all. 

He  was  then  called  to  the  pastorate  of  the  Congregational 
Church  of  East  Bloomfield,  N.  Y.,  where  he  remained  ten 
years,  when  he  resigned,  mainly  on  account  of  ill  health. 

"With  the  hope  of  improving  his  health  by  out-door  labor 
he  purchased  a  small  farm  near  Rochester,  which  he  culti- 
vated very  successfully,  and  where  he  spent  the  remnant  of 
his  days,  preaching  as  he  had  opportunity,  for  ten  or  twelve 
years  after  leaving  Bloomfield. 

From  a  child  his  health  was  frail,  and  in  his  later  years, 
he  was  called  to  endure  very  great  suffering,  often  causing 
him  to  wish  that  the  end  might  come.  He  was  confined  to 
his  house  and  to  his  bed,  however,  only  a  few  days  before 
his  death,  which  occurred  October  2,  1888. 

While  his  contributions  to  benevolence  during  his  life 
were  very  liberal,  he  may  be  regarded,  though  dead,  as  yet 
preaching  the  gospel  in  the  large  bequest  which  he  has 
made  to  tlie  Presbyterian  Board  of  Foreign  Missions. 


>- 

a: 
m 
h- 
>- 

CQ 
W) 
UJ 

Qi 

a. 

H 
Ul 

tu 

'X 
U 
O 

DC 


o 


o 

fe 

2; 

0 

0 

s 

_] 

H 

UJ 

m 

K 

H 

(D 

s; 

oc 

LU 

fe 

(- 

CO 

z 

4- 

CO 

CO 

^ 

^-  is.- 

0     M 

<£"S 

r^    •        rA    .  ""        "  CO  t~- 

00  r^ 

"    «         vO 

z 
0 

CO  ^    .  i-~  i-.^   ^  ^  -•  to 

-^ 

M     „-  ^'   CO 

W   CO     M 

^ 

o'-w     ,«=5<2^"C^ 

ij 

-(-•o  cT 

^         ■'^         ^ 

i 

1^ 

CO 

00  "  c^ 

<Oo~jI| 

Q 

a 

z 
< 

0" 

a, 

ilil 

a  rr     'z, 

u 

p     .rt^^i,^     .-5«j^ 

1) 

S    5n  -lii 

Q 

fe  .5   3  XI   3   0  .2  ^   0 

•s 

^11 

^l|o 

0 

Pi 

0  JS^ 

-ss^^ 

15 
•a 

•a"    ' 

.  T3 

i>              tn   a; 

D 

<U 

5       (55 

Q 

_s_ 

QQ     Q 

0 

•  1^ 

>^  u 

r^- 

>>  : 

(1< 

•  >    ■  .5  - 

. 

6.t> 

^ 

G' 

:G 

u   '■ 

u 

.5      C^" 

J^ 

j^ 

!  I-  1- 

u   u, 

0: 

ij^'C 

<u   OJ 

<U    1) 

.2  •  j;  0  jj     0  1;;  •  • 

•§|: 

.2  $  ^  .2  ^  B 

Q 
Z 

0  IIJ  II 

|8 

< 

"0 

Q 

^■,^^..--... 

-   .  ^ 

-  .  ^ 

> 

3 

pH 

u 

6 

cxji-'--*----- 

z 

c> 

s 

-  -  - 

-    • 

,--.-., 

& 

c 

:  :Q 

:  :  :q 

.0 

.  :  :0° 

_  :q  : 

•  •0 

z 

1 

■q"  :  ? 

3-g  ^  I 

ill 

1 

c 
c 

•  : 

S    c 

3K^ 

■p: 

: 

SI 
.5^ 

■  _c 
1  ^ 

1 

c 

1; 

c 

1 

no 


^.  U  O  «  • 


""NO 


-  -.CO  g    • 
•r;  (U  O  '^  <u 

P  ^  t4  c^PP 


^;3 


U      4-1     - 

o  c 


W    - 

■a  9 
o.S 

:  Q. 

<  c 


QQ      Q 


'-^■5 

V-.2 


t^  o  -K  o  -s 

1>  'C    I*    I-    !>  'C    «    Si 

•giS-giS-g:  :    ^  «-g- 

OCO^O  C<uO 


O   C   O   O    i^ 


P   ■  ^ 

Q  :.Si 


s  5 


OQ 


>> 


^  -  -5  -^  c'  §  S  ^  .2  "S"^ 

g  =  ^5  rs  5  3  1-   r:  T,  T-  u 


:U  o 


Q 
Q 

<5  j"  tiH  t; 

9<i 


3    O    .. 

G    S 


Q 

QQ 

o 


>.d 


•  ■a 


C    <«    Si 


S> 


=    G    C 


|g||o|;^Sj^||||^|«||l|S|^|.g^^^. 


Ill 


•^  'u  CO 


1)    MO    O^  M    ii 


^i'^^«^  £-5 


WQ 


'^  a  „r  c        -  o 

1  5  «  fe  ^  ^  tS  ^ 
;  <u  W  o  j;  d  ^  S 

feu.       sc     . 

-a-a    .  "*   -a    . " 
1)   (U   tn        u   in 

QQQ      QQ 


0   O    C  1^  ■{« 


^.  JO 


jci 


•a  -a 


O    G 


^    JT-O   ^>  en 


i^::  c  ::  U 


^^" 


V)   en 


QQ     Q     a 


Q      Q      QQ      Q 


3c^ 

03 

D 


,1i  r't  cr  5  o  15  XI 


OU 


;:^  S-o 


o  c 


c 


^   ^   QOS'^^I^^^^^ 


XI  P  o  -a 


2-0  S 

-    -■    0) 


^^ 


^  r^ 


H  <  J  H  .S  M  I 


X'o- 


'  2"  -  - 


9 0.<<iri     O 


<u  u  a,      a  g-u  a, 
QS<      <:cfiO< 


o  4J  ^  43  '^<    b^  O  'E 


>%      .        .        .   ^   Hr-I     e  ,■   S 


^ ^ ^       . .S K  '^-'  S  5 -^  ^ c2 ^  S .S >  ^  >^    S -^       ^^  ° ^ -  S  ^-5 u 
■>KQl^|j-^<f2£|,>^|Q.^':KS^'^-u^^'u^-^„-§^^-^-^c 

^^|i-:=fe->feiS^Q^x^«|g_gS^SSJ3Sg_c--5sS!;Sg 
,^<;,£.H^eHQO»^0<HQ<:c^^wS^^a<O^UOK^^U^JUc«»2. 


112 


< « 


"2      <^  cr. 


r~.oo 
CO  w 
CO       . 

ei   O 


1*  ,;  S 


-'S     S 


o  t3 


n  o  o    -i^  g  o 

8  u  -S  c  ^  i  ■£ 
(fl  (u  o  o  y  i  2i 

^  ^  Z  h^l  Oi  PC  Pi 
1)  ~   <u 

(i;s£-  -  -  ;: 

Q"  Q 


5i  W 


tn  6        O        ol 


QP      Q      C 


> 


O  o 


1— >'^;z; 


:-p^ 


O  3  ,/,  ■« 
1^  53  G  K^"rt  >  'C  <; 
g  g  o  g^tc^  o       '-' 


on  -     ir-     -      M  i-ii-^^'-Qoco-- 


o     < 


<      <;  c/:  < 


§A 


c  ^   C   i   rt 
g   J-   (U   rt   |g 

f5i2;5-SuSS    ..2 


;  q£ 

'  t»  <£^  r^  r^  t^  O^  0> 

1  ::  "^  „  CO  CO  oo  r^  r^- 

(  COtHMl-lCOCO- 

>  -  Oco   »riO     -  ^- 


g-     -5  u  o  ag-tJ  o 


Q 
^    .u    .. 

J3    biO    .-°  Ph'O 


^  bio's    •  ^    .    ■ 


s  s  s  • 


sg-i'i£s 


P  ffi  Q  '^  m  ^Q  III  ,^'^  QuUWPiuE-'W  hI,^  W  H  ^2,1^  m  fe  15  S  <  c« 


■^  o  S  £!  D:=;i='3 


113 


«       w  o  "S    .  '-' 


f>Svd   "_^c 


1 

c 
d 

1:1  o  "" 

d" 

Paul,  Sept.  15, 
sburgh,  April  : 
gara,  June  22, 
kawanna.  Sept 
inaw,  Sept.  21, 

^o-:::^,-^^ 

'^.  '^" 

?ara,  April 
alo,   Sept.  2 
ton,  Nov.  5, 
isville,  Apri 

<: 
1 

ncil  Bluffs, 
ecia,  April  : 
ns,  June  14 
imore,  Apri 
N.  Y.,  Mar 
>ego.  May  i 
bio,  Sept.  I 

3    C 

12;  ^ 

(U  <1 

0  -^ 
0  J^ 

«  tC    «    3 

a 

_  jj    rt    u    biO 

3   c  0  ;ii     .  ili  u 

>i  rt 

—  g- 

•5   3   o   o 

V 

cSfS^^So^ 

rt    u 

w  0 

J 

^m»^ 

O 

^Eiz;^^  c5? 

UO 

7.H 

•s 

•s 

J3 

j£ 

en                    0    u 

J3 

^  0 

1) 

1>                           ii 

<U 

u 

£.  .   .   I^P., 

u 

Ph 

Cu  J    -    - 

Pi 

eu,^  -.  ,  ^ 

Clh: 

rt  (i; 

.■'■'"  -o    . 

•0   . 

v> 

Ul 

tn                    1)   in 

en 

lU   a, 

•zi                   —  .— 

p 

c 

5 

Q 

Q             QQ 

5 

QQ 

0.4}  2 

OS   <n   O 

2  1! 


5"o" 


in 

Pi 


^    S  ii  -    O      .  ^-^    >  .-    3    o    >-  oi 

SoS  ??  2>"  rt^  ^  ^  3^  S-^ 


<  S  ^  ^  J  -d 


01  3  ^ 


Opm 


en 


O  J3 


-^  M-1  J-.  C 


ij_i 


o  o  rt  S,      a  a 


;^  .;f?o^ 


O  Z  t-  <  ^v:  < 


O-t 


o  _ 


•U-;    o!    ns    D- 


C  2 
T3  d 


t^  so 


^  3  o 

1;  >  cq 


u    C 

o  o 

SI. 


1     .  o 


I  3,0  h^-^  ^c^Q  <  Z  H  <<  oi  W 


r,  td  (-1  a.  CO  r  1  r  )  uiL 


114 


N    1-1 

II 

£  - 


O  o 
bx>  o 

en    in 


en  -a 


'^'^^I.S'l.S.S  .en 


2  §  iJ  2-0-: 
^;  J  f^i  r^  O  S  "^ 


cocoin"'      cooocooo-    aooo°° 


1)   nl  ^ 


;>  g^  pro     ^ 


■s  ^ "    ^  >>  ■^  ^'  '"n 


<!  c/:  c/;  O  O      <  c/:  c/:  <      gs  2  c/: 


0<      <      Sc^S-<      A( 


S  ■>  5  -I  >  2 


:^ -.. 

5  e"?  5«  5  iQ 


Q  o-a 


O    in 


HISTORY    OF    ROCHESTER    PRESBYTERY.  115 


Licensures 

By  the  Presbytery  of  Rochester. 


Henry  T.  Miller,  April  12,  1871. 
Theodore  B.  Williams,  April  12,  1871. 
George  K.  Ward,  April  10,  1872. 
Isaac  O.  Best,  April  10,  1872. 
James  Kobertson,  April  10,  1872. 
Edward  C.  Kay,  April  15,  1873. 
Clark  B.  Gillette,  April  15,  1873. 
Theodore  W.  Hopkins,  April  15,  1873. 
John  K.  Fowler,  April  1-1,  1874. 

Lewis  H.  Morey,  April  14,  1874. 
David  F.  Stewart,  April  13,  1875. 

John  Q.  Adams,  April  11,  1876. 

Robert  McLean,  April  11,  1876. 

John  P.  Campbell,  April  27,  1877. 

Eneas  McLean,  April  27,  1877. 

Simon  J.  McPherson,  April  27,  1877. 

James  W.  White,  September  18,  1877. 

Frederick  Campbell,  April  15,  1879. 

Theodore  S.  Day,  April  11,  1882. 

Theodore  M.  McNair,  May  15, 1882. 

Frank  G.  Weeks,  April  15,  1884. 

Frank  P.  Gilman,  January  5,  1885. 

Albert  S.  Bacon,  April  13,  1886. 

Johnson  A.  Henderson,  December  13,  1887. 

Robert  B.  Stevens,  April  10,  1889. 


J 16  HISTORY    OF    KOCHESTEB     PKESBYTERY. 

Candidates  for  the  Ministry 

Received  by  the  Presbytery. 


David  F.  Stewart,  December  7,  18T0. 
James  Robertson,  September  13,  1871. 
George  K.  Ward,  October  19,  1871. 
Edward  C.  Eay,  April  10,  1872. 
Isaac  O.  Best,  April  10,  1872. 
Simon  J.  McPherson,  September  19,  1876. 
Theodore  M.  McNair,  April  13,  1880. 
G.  W.  Smith,  April  12,  1881. 
George  T.  Eddy,  April  11,  1882. 
George  S.  Smith,  April  11,  1882. 
Frank  P.  Gilman,  September  19,  1882. 
Kufus  F.  Hurlburt,  April  10,  1883. 
Hiram  A.  Vance,  September  16,  1884, 
Albert  S.  Bacon,  September  22,  1885. 
Frank  E.  Hoyt,  April  13,  1886. 
Clay  H.  Denman,  September  21,  1886. 
Henry  A.  Lawrence,  October  25,  1886. 
Frank  A.  Ryan,  October  31,  1887. 
L.  E.  Tiffany,  December  13,  1887. 
Frank  E.  Bancroft,  September  18,  1888. 
Robert  B.  Stevens,  April  12,  1887. 
Yan  Beshgetoor,  September  17,  1889. 
William  P.  Mackenzie,  September  17,  1889. 


HISTORY    OF    ROCHESTER     PRESBYTERY.  117 


Trustees  of  the  Presbytery. 


Since  the  reorganization  of  the  Board,  June  18,  1883,  the 
following  persons  have  served  as  trustees  for  the  years  fol- 
lowing their  respective  names  : 

Joseph  E.  Page,  1883  to  1884. 
Louis  Chapin,  1883  to  1889. 
George  W.  Sill,  1883  to  1885. 
Levi  Parsons,  1883  to  1889. 
Frederick  Probst,  1883  to  1889. 
Charles  N.  Leonard,  1883  to  1889. 
Charles  P.  Coit,  1883  to  1889. 
John  K.  Strang,  1883  to  1889. 
Alexander  H.  Campbell,  1883  to  1884. 
Charles  J.  Hayden,  1884  to  1888. 
Theodore  W.  Hopkins,  1885  to  1886. 
Marcus  K.  Woodbury,  1885  to  1888. 
David  K.  Eddy,  1886  to  1889. 
Sidney  A.  Newman,  1888  to  1889. 
David  M.  Hough,  1888  to  1889. 


118  HISTORY    OF    ROCHESTER    PRESBYTERY. 


Clerks  and  Treasurers 

OF  THE  Presbytery. 


The  Rev.  Levi  Parsons  was  elected  Stated  Clerk  at  the 
first  stated  meeting,  September  14,  1870,  and  has  continued 
to  hold  the  ofiice  to  the  present  time,  1889. 

The  Permanent  Clerks  have  been  : 

Rev.  John  Jones,  from  1870  to  1871:,  followed  successively 
by  Elder  Jolm  R.  Strang  and  Rev.  Samuel  A.  Freeman. 

The  first  Treasurer  was  Elder  Jonathan  E.  Pierpont, 
whose  successor  up  to  the  present  time,  1889,  is  Elder  David 
Cory. 


HISTORY   OF   ROCHESTER    PRESBYTERY. 


119 


o 

00 

00 

'-' 

Di 

w 

P2 

r> 

CO 

H 

UJ 

u 

X 

(J 

O 

.- 

Qi 

Pi 

LJ 

w 

X, 

>< 

U 

C/5 

w 

a 

< 

r^ 

w 

C/5 

^ 

cc: 

w 

UJ 

K 

f- 

u 

c^ 

p^ 

?^. 

o 

s 

h 

o 

z 

o 

^ 

o 

J 

w 

OQ 

O  0) 


Oo 


k5^ 


)  -w  1^  .i  "T!  ■ 

<k  o  aii  o.:::occoiS'^'^o 
WP5aiOP5H-?rthqp5oMMD5 


.  11  ^  O  s  o  O  1) ' 

0)  f  oj  ^  a  &  (D  ■ 


3*  ^ 


ft 


fi« 


:Pii 


h^l^P^ 


120 


HISTORY    OF    ROCHESTER    PRESBYTERY. 


l-H  tH  0-i  lO  OJ 


CiOi  CO  CO 


O  a; 
5^ 


Ph<1 


^1  ^; 


^  o 
^P5 


0)  '_    _ 
,0)  c3  O  S 


s^ 


<  o  o 


i  :  ': 

^    - 

- 

^    w.    V.    - 

- 

i—T    ■     ■ 

2H 


rf^^', 


m  cB  _^  p  cB  0)  ft 


tc  ^-  Ci,  X  cc  aj  X        OJ   crt"  'X  =«  OJ  CQ  =c  ^  5  n  T  ^  -5 


-  r;  ^ -^  a> +^  J3  j:;  .Xi  ^  ''^- ^  f  -' 


fcn  ^H  f-i  Jh  af 
(U  QJ  0)  Oi^j 
-^J  +J  +J  -U  .ij 


X       ;;    c    O    C    :5 
O      O   O   O   0_3 


O     ■ 


Q 


t- ^  s  G  a  c3  :5  °  be 

2  3   O  b£>;3jG.S  >>T3X! 


i2    3    o 


,^»-; 


;:z;  a; 

il5 


-r  S5"-  ^- 


Oi     re 

"o?       r— ' 


HISTORY    OF    ROCHkSTKR     PRESBYTERY 


121 


/ 


CtCiOIOClOOOCCOOOO 

CA   1-*  (M  T-H   l-H   r-   CQ 


Ji! 


fc<  ^-  ^  o  rr  o  1. 
02  02  3:13  gg.H 


^  bl  03  ^^  n .-  pC  > 

-OOOPu!>o<l 


r;;  o  a; 


•    TO 


a200P-i 


01^   fcj   0-  cS 


m  3 


122 


HISTORY    OP    ROCHESTER    PREISBYTERY. 


H— > 

a; 
o 

a:: 


CO 

oo 


Pi 


o 
^ 


Q 
W 

O      g 
•  I— ( 

o 
OQ 

-§ 

r— ( 

Pi 


.      H       g     SQ     re     O 


S  "S 


^   o 

9.  m 


<^P5^ 


Sfii 

<1  fi 

?  a 

iz; 

i^  s 

o 

^  ¥ 

CO 

^pq 

tf 

3 

o 

r    05 


a  s 


£  o 
pq  O 

=0    73 


3^ 


o    ^ 


H 


a" 


5='  O    O 


o   a> 
>  > 

:3  g 


o^''-"  o    ^    <x> 
^  ^  3    o   g  3 


3  s 


^  -     ^    -    ::    . 

o 

^::     :     -    ::     :: 

i  ll  - 1 1 

^  ^      n^  pq  5 
pq       ^  Oh  w  w 

Kj  1  05  2  <i  S 
^^  I  o=S  ?§  ^ 

gJ-^1^  a  a 

H     03      3      tB      !-      O      O 

S  H  W  H  1^  H  H 


05  «t-r    ^ 

rS       =3       05 


Ci5     05     O    -^    'S 


«  _ 

.  cq 
o  K  W  ^  ^  W 


HISTORY    OF    ROCHESTER    PRESBYTERY.  128 


o 


^  ^ . .-    .  "^« 


& 


o  ji;  ^ 


G^ 


»r  ^ 


H 

^  ' 

^ 

1^ 

^ 

>^ . 

^ 

8 

13 

1> 

1 

p 

«s 

'^ 

o  ■^ 

-3   a3 

p  >; 

,^l 

d 

?«^ 

"73  +-' 

h] 

6  H 
1« 

^^1 

H  ^ 

--c     ri 

o 

«   o 
O  Cr 

«^ 

§ 

<  ^o 

!>^                                      ^  -  .  ^' 

^                                                      ^                                         .'  .  ^  '  M 

^'                     I  >^  or  ^ 

=^ >,,              .^^^  1.-^ 

I ^                  f^  §  c  I  ^  "  -^ 

^                    o  *^  e 

S                               g  d>  c5 


12-i  HISTORY    OF    ROCHESTER    PRESBYTERY, 


"i^  ' 

"    " 

!>^  . 

t 

^tH- 

;^ 

f^  . 

tH   ^ 

8, 

!>• 

oT 

^        >^ 

1'" 

Ir 

Ph 

OJ    o 

11 

5  "* 

k,  Piffard, 
Buffalo,  N 

UNDA. 

George  Arnold, 
James  H.  McNair, 
Arnold  Galley, 

Izi 

William  B.  Nichol 
George  H.  Comsto 
Horace  Rann, 

William  B.  Lowry 
John  Kineaid, 
James  N.  Arnold, 

M 
CQ 
CO 

David  McCurdy,  L 
Matthias  Rolison, 
Jacob  Clendening, 

1 

< 

pi:  . 

O    ^ 

i 

T.  Nelson  Shattuc 
Zera  F.  Blakely, 
Willis  A.  Sackett, 

sz; 

o 

o 

^ 

Ph 

!25 


^  "     "     "     ' 

of 

.3  -    -    -    -    ^  1  '    ^    S?  o 


^  ^ 


-'         I 


1=    ^    ^         S 


h^ 


a   3 


a  woo 


a  a 


HISTORY    OF    ROCHESTER    PRESBYTERY.  125 


2  _r  ^    '  S>  ^  -i^    m 


g  |bi^i=|||iib 


^     ^.  a^^ 

< 

:f  5  ,  s  o 
®  p  ?  ^  s  S 

1 

^  H  ^  p^  -<  W 

» 

.2    ^   ®  ^   ©   <» 

i 

§ 

&;  s  ;5  fe  O  O 

tf 

s       o 


£       2        {H     S 
„'  2   '  =        «    3   •   ^' 


o 


»  oT^       a    >;  =  :2^.2'5^5^^-^      :j  s 


O      X  -  ^^ 


.    p5  ^  >  >  f^  «    -I  1  ^. ":'  fi  ^  ^'  ^  '£  -<  S        rt 

a  §  § 


126 


HISTORY    OF    EOCHESTER    PRESBYTERY. 


-r  ^ 


v^  ,,•  ^  ^  oj  ^  ^  W 
2g.2gocSa3S 


p 

M 

H 
(4 

pi] 
H 

o 

Harris, 
F.  Cogswe 
Harris, 
S.  Little, 
Hill, 
R.  King, 
ory, 
opeland. 

"S 

§ 

Joseph 
William 
Edwai'd 
William 
John  H. 
Charles 
David  C 
David  C 

« 

>< 

1^ .  .  .  . 

^                             "    " 

!25 

^•- 

-2 

-2 

^ 

X 

^ 

^ 

f§ 

fl 

<j 

^  d          ^' 

. 

^'-    ^  ,     .3    .  • 

P^ 

fl  -  fl'    -  2 

^> 

_r  ^  t^  .a     '     ^,  ::3  -a 

o 

s  3  c3  .r:  D 

M 

P^ 

Buel 

.Wei 

Basst 

Houg 

old, 

heste 

Ham 

.  Pon 

Olds, 

1 

m 

^  ^  d  -:*    °  ^  O^  ^  0 

(4 
III 

s 

BUM>^  o^^'S 

H 

i  s  >  £  s 

cDxjS;  ee  oj^  f-^  <K 

Wi5P  ^O 

00<1fiWEH<5oO 

o 

o 

o 

(A 

p; 

.2   S   " 


S  w  O}  ^ 

g  ^^^^ 

5     §:  -M  ^  3 

03      ^    fl    fl    c« 
M      O    eg    irj    I, 

g    O  Ph  &^  W 
o 

1^ 


HISTORY    OF    ROCHESTER    PRESBYTERY. 


127 


fn" 


!=•-    J      j'L-i^    yg't   I  'la- 
Ill  ^   -sa      ||ll|s      ||S|      S,.=  ^ 

l^iiissi  .i|i|.ruisi|3igii 

t  t  >  ^  ^ 


^                                  ^     .   E^           .  f  ^    ^           ^  "    ^    "    ' 

a>                                    .22.  ;2             .--  S                     +^ 

rd                                   »2   rs~  o          of  OQ          r          S"  -    -     •    - 

(4  I                                    ^    ^  r^          -  .   (=<           S 

I -lis  I II  Sill  g§|i  I  ill 

g^»S4aS  |4gS  «£o<g  S^Sb 

1^                            S                w  to 


128  HISTORY    OF    ROCHESTER    PRESBYTERY. 

Histories  of  the  Presbyterian  Churches 

In  THE  Counties  of  Monroe  and  Livingston. 


These  histories,  with  few  exceptions,  have  been  prepared 
by  the  ministers  of  the  several  churches,  subject  to  the  re- 
vision of  the  committee  of  Presbytery  appointed  to  pub- 
lish its  history,  consisting  of  Rev.  Levi  Parsons,  D.  D., 
Louis  Chapin,  Esq.,  Rev.  H.  W.  Morris,  D.  D..,  and  Rev. 
C.  W.  Backus. 

In  the  work  of  revision,  the  churches  of  Rochester  were 
assigned  to  Louis  Chapin,  Esq.;  those  of  Brockport, 
Charlotte,  ChiH,  Churchville,  Clarkson,  Gates,  Ogden, 
Parma  Centre,  Sweden  and  Wheatland  to  Dr.  Morris  ;  those 
of  Brighton,  Bushnell's  Basin,  Henrietta,  Honeoye  Falls, 
Mendon,  Peniield,  Pittsford,  Rush,  Victor  and  Webster  to 
Rev.  C.  W.  Backus  ;  and  those  in  Livingston  county  to  Dr. 
Parsons. 


AVON. 

The  town  of  Avon,  which  was  called  Hartford,  up  to 
1S08,  was  settled  in  1790  by  hve  families  from  Farmington, 
Conn.  It  is  thought  that  the  Rev.  Daniel  Thatcher  or- 
ganized a  Presbyterian  church  in  this  town  as  early  as  1795  ; 
but  this  does  not  appear  from  Presbyterial  Records,  nor 
from  any  records  which  the  church  has  handed  down. 

A  Congregational  church  was  organized  November  10, 
1810,  by  Rev.  Reuben  Parmerlee,  consisting  of  the  following 
twenty  persons  :  Samuel  Federal,  Phoebe  Blakeslee,  Asa 
and  Jemima  Clark,  Herman  and  Mary  Ladd,  George  Grouse, 


HISTORY    OF    ROCHESTER    PRESBYTERY.  129 

Martha  and  Lucy  C.  Tilden,  Elizabeth  Strunck,  Maria  and 
Catharine  Berry,  Thankful  Bancroft,  Lucinda  Burfee,  Chris- 
tiana Bishop,  Rebecca  Scott,  Mary  Brown  and  Catharine 
Miller.  The  first  deacons  were  Samuel  Blakeslee  and  Asa 
C.  Clark,  and  the  first  clerk  Federal  Blakeslee.  The  church 
became  a  constituent  part  of  the  Presbytery  of  Ontario  on 
the  accommodating  plan,  January  15,  1822  ;  elected  ruling 
elders  March  25,  1842,  and  has  continued  its  connection 
with  the  Presbytery  up  to  the  present  time. 

Rev.  John  F.  Bliss  was  ordained  and  installed  pastor 
February  25,  1812,  and  remained  until  February,  1818. 
Then  followed,  for  short  terms  of  service,  Rev.  Chauncey 
Cook,  Rev.  Mr.  Hyde,  Rev.  Mr.  Knapen,  Rev.  Mr. 
Robbins  and  Rev.  Mr.  Bird. 

January  16,  1822,  Rev.  John  Whittlesey  was  installed, 
and  was  dismissed  March  19,  1829.  He  was  succeeded  by 
Rev.  H.  M.  Miller,  who  was  followed  by  Rev.  Jacob  Hart 
for  three  years  from  May,  1831.  Then  followed  Rev. 
William  C.  Wisner,  for  two  years ;  Rev.  Alfred  White,  for 
one  year ;  Rev.  Edwards  Marsh,  two  years,  and  Rev.  J. 
Hubbard,  Rev.  P.  0.  Hastings  and  Rev.  E.  W.  Kellogg  for 
a  year  each. 

In  September,  1844,  Rev.  Samuel  M.  Hopkins  commenced 
his  ministry,  which  terminated  in  July,  1847. 

September  27,  1848,  Rev.  Edward  B.  Walsworth  was 
ordained  and  installed  pastor  and  continued  until  October, 
1853.  He  was  followed  by  Rev.  Corydon  W.  Higgins  from 
1853  to  1855,  and  by  Rev.  J.  W.  Ray,  from  1855  to  1857. 
After  Mr.  Ray,  Rev.  William  IST.  Cleveland  supplied  the 
church  for  a  short  time,  and  was  followed  by  Rev  Nathan- 
iel Elmer  from  1858  to  1862.  Rev.  Archibald  M.  Shaw, 
from  1864  to  1865  ;  Dr.  E.  B.  Walsworth,  from  1866  to 
1867  ;  Rev.  J.  R.  Page,  from  1868  to  1872  ;  Rev.  Horace 
P.  y.  Bogne,  from  1874  to  1876  ;  Rev.  F.  De  W.  Ward,  D. 
D.,  from  1876  to  1880,  and  Rev.  James  F.  Calkins,  from 
from  1880  to  1888, 


130  HISTORY    OF   ROCHESTER    PRESBYTERY. 

Services  at  first  were  held  in  a  school  house. 

In  1812  a  large  brick  church  was  commenced,  but  was 
not  completed  and  dedicated  until  1827,  though  services 
were  held  in  it  prior  to  1820.  In  1841  the  building  was  in 
part  renovated  ;  in  1815  a  bell  was  purchased  ;  in  1850  the 
park  was  planted  with  trees  and  the  parsonage  was  built. 

In  1866  a  very  strong  effort  was  made  to  secure  the 
removal  of  the  church  to  the  west  village,  which  resulted 
in  forty  or  fifty  members  taking  letters  to  form  the 
church  of  Avon  Springs.  The  church,  however,  not  only 
refused  to  be  removed  but  rallied  to  new  life,  and  made  a 
very  thorough  renovation  of  its  church  edifice  at  an  expense 
of  $4,000. 

During  Dr.  Page's  ministry  a  study  was  added  to  the 
parsonage,  and  a  pipe  organ  put  in  the  gallery. 

In  1879  a  prayer  and  Sunday  School  room  was  added  to 
the  church,  and  in  1888  the  platform  was  lowered  and  the 
organ  brought  from  the  loft  and  placed  beside  the  pulpit. 

In  1825  the  number  of  members  was  seventy -one  ;  in 
1833,  one  hundred  and  two  ;  in  1839,  one  hundred  and 
fifty,  and  in  1888,  seventy-five. 

Two  interesting  seasons  of  revival  were  enjoyed  under 
Mr.  Whittlesey's  labors  which  brought  an  accession  to  the 
church  of  more  than  fifty  members  on  profession.  The 
labors  of  Dr.  Wisner  were  greatly  blessed  in  confronting 
the  strong  infidelity  which  had  prevailed,  resulting  in  an 
addition  of  more  than  forty  members.  A  similar  blessing 
attended  the  labors  of  Mr.  Marsh,  when  seventeen  were 
added. 

Much  could  be  said  very  favorably  of  the  ministrations 
of  Dr.  Walsworth,  Mr.  Elmer,  Dr.  Page  and  Dr.  Ward. 

The  eight  years  ministry  of  Rev.  J.  F.  Calkins  has  proved 
longer  than  that  of  any  of  his  predecessors,  and  very  happy 
in  the  ingatherings  which  it  has  secured.  Feeble  health 
compelled  him  to  resign  after  a  very  successful  ministry  of 


HISTORY   OF    ROCHESTER    PRESBYTERY.  131 

more  than  forty -four  years.  The  church  at  tliis  date,  1889, 
is  depending  upon  transient  supplies. 

In  its  entire  history,  while  it  has  never  paid  a  large  salary, 
owing  to  the  fact  that  but  few  of  the  wealthy  men  of  the 
place  are  members,  it  has  always  refused  to  ask  for  mission- 
ary aid. 

The  elders  elected  March  25,  1842,  when  the  church  first 
became  fully  Presbyterian,  wei*e  Mishael  Wilson,  Henry 
L.  Young,  William  Jackson,  James  Hosmer  and  David 
Whitney. 

The  trustees  in  1812  were  John  Pierson,  John  Brown, 
Ezekiel  Morly,  Jehial  Kelsey  and  Josiah  Waterous. 

The  present  officers  of  the  Sunday  School  are  Louis 
E,.  Bristol,  superintendent ;  Charles  Beckwith,  assistant ; 
Charles  Lacy,  treasurer ;  Frank  Henry,  secretary,  and 
Augusta  Taintor,  librarian. 

The  young  j^eople  have  a  prayer  meeting  Sunday  evening. 

A  Juvenile  Missionary  Society  was  formed  five  or  six 
years  ago. 

The  Woman's  Missionary  Society  was  formed  in  1877. 


AVOK   FREE   CHURCH. 

A  special  meeting  of  the  Presbytery  of  Ontario,  for  the 
purpose  of  forming  a  church  in  the  southern  part  of  the 
town  of  Avon,  met  at  the  house  of  Mr.  Norman  Little, 
December  16,  1834,  and  was  opened  with  a  sermon  by  Rev. 
Justus  Hough,  from  Ps.  97:  1,  who  also  was  chosen  moder- 
ator. It  appearing  that  the  church  in  Avon  had  not  been 
properly  notified  of  this  movement,  Presbyteiy  adjourned 
to  the  same  place  on  the  26th  inst.,  when  the  following 
eighteen  members  of  the  church  of  Avon,  viz  :  Norman 
Little,  William  F.  Southworth,  Solomon  Hunt,  Jane  Ann 
Little,  Lewis  G.  Howard,  Edwin  Cook,  Lovisa  C.  Cook, 


132  HISTORY    OF   ROCHESTER    PRESBYTERY. 

Sarah  "Wallage,  Harriet  Hunt,  Isaac  Osgood,  Jemima  B. 
Osgood,  Martha  Miller,  Kebecca  Scott,  Ezekiel  Scott,  Sally 
Post,  Mahitable  Fuller,  Eunice  Weed  and  Ljsander  "Weed, 
together  with  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Thomas  B.  Lyon  of  the  church 
at  Canandaigua,  were  constituted  a  church,  known  as  "  The 
Free  Church  of  Avon,"  which  was  located  at  the  village  of 
Littleville.  At  the  time  of  the  organization,  Isaac  Osgood, 
Lewis  G.  Howard  and  William  T.  Southworth  were  duly 
chosen  and  ordained  to  the  office  of  deacon  ;  from  which, 
as  no  elders  were  ordained,  we  infer  that  the  church  was 
Congregational  and  belonged  to  Presbytery  according  to 
the  '"  Plan  of  Union." 

The  Rev.  Hezekiah  B.  Pierpont  was  the  first  minister,  and 
on  the  18 til  of  February,  1836,  was  installed  pastor  by  the 
Presbytery  of  Ontario,  which  relation  was  dissolved  August 
25,  1841.  It  is  thought  that  Roderick  L.  Hurlbert,  a  licen- 
tiate received  by  Ontario  from  Cayuga  Presbytery  August 
24,  1842,  succeeded  Mr.  Pierpont,  and  that  after  him  the 
church  had  no  other  minister.  Resolutions  respecting  his 
death  at  Castile  were  passed  by  the  Presbytery  April  26, 1854. 

The  Committee  on  Home  Missions  reported  to  Presbytery 
July  9,  1856,  in  regard  to  this  church,  that  "  Most  of  the 
members  have  died  or  left  the  place,  or  connected  them- 
selves with  a  neighboring  clmrch,"  and  that  "  the  committee 
are  told  the  church  is  virtually  disbanded  already." 

A  house  of  worship  was  erected  soon  after  the  organiza- 
tion of  the  church,  which  remained  for  about  thirty  years 
when  it  was  put  to  other  uses. 

Hotchkin's  history  says  :  "  In  1836  it  numbered  one  hun- 
dred  and  fourteen  members.  *  *  *  In  1846  a  blessed 
revival  and  ingathering  of  souls  was  granted.  Seventy- 
seven  were  added  to  the  church  on  profession." 


HISTORY   OF   ROCHESTER    PRESBYTERY.  133 


AYON   SPRINGS. 

In  October,  1865,  Rev.  Edwin  R,  Davis  commenced 
preaching  in  the  Academy  at  Avon,  N".  Y.,  with  reference  to 
the  organization  of  a  church.  This  resulted  in  the  forma- 
tion of  the  Avon  Springs  Presbyterian  Society,  November 
12.  1866,  with  the  following  trustees :  R.  S.  Taintor, 
Stephen  Hosmer,  Theodore  E.  Winans,  O.  Comstock,  D.  C. 
Brayton  and  D.  M  Stevens. 

On  the  11th  of  December,  1866,  a  commission  of  Ontario 
Presbytery  consisting  of  Rev.  John  Barnard,  D.  D.,  Rev. 
Pliny  F.  Sanborne  and  Rev.  George  P.  Folsom,  organized 
the  Avon  Springs  Presbyterian  Church ;  the  Rev.  Mr. 
Folsom  preaching  the  sermon. 

Thirty-seven  persons,  recommended  by  letter,  principally 
from  the  First  CJnirch  of  Avon,  united  with  each  other  in 
covenant,  and  were  constituted  the  Presbyterian  Church  of 
Avon  Springs. 

O.  Comstock,  D.  C.  Brayton  and  R.  Taintor  were  duly 
elected  and  ordained  ruling  elders. 

Rev.  Mr.  Davis  continued  his  labors  until  October,  1867. 
in  all  two  years,  when  he  retired,  and  no  successor  was  evei 
obtained.  During  these  two  years  an  effort  was  made  to 
erect  a  church  edifice,  which  for  a  time  was  very  hopeful, 
but  failed. 

In  the  spring  of  1872  an  unsuccessful  effort  was  made  to 
revive  the  church. 

In  1876  some  of  the  original  members  of  this  organiza- 
tion united  w^ith  others  in  constituting  the  Central  Presby- 
terian Church  of  Avon.  But,  though  a  new  church  was 
formed,  the  old  legal  organization  known  as  the  Avon 
Springs  Presbyterian  Society  was  continued  as  the  legal 
representative  of  the  new  body. 

(See  History  of  the  Central  Presbyterian  Church  of  Avon.) 


134  HISTORY    OF    ROCHESTER   PRESBYTERY. 


AVON  CENTRAL. 

The  Central  Presbyterian  Church,  Avon,  N.  Y.,  was  or- 
ganized May  9,  1876,  by  a  commission  of  Rochester  Presby- 
tery, consisting  of  Rev.  J.  L.  Robertson,  Rev.  S.  M. 
Campbell,  D.  D.,  and  Mr.  Louis  Chapin.  Forty-two  mem- 
bers constituted  the  organization.  The  rotary  system  of 
eldership  was  adopted,  and  two  elders  were  chosen,  viz., 
Edwin  T.  Stevens  and  Benj.  Long.  The  trustees  of  the 
society,  whose  legal  title  is  the  Avon  Springs  Presbyterian 
Society,  were  Aaron  Barber,  Stephen  Hosmer,  Edwin  I. 
Stevens,  William  P.  Low,  J.  A.  Chase  and  W.  S.  Curtiss. 

On  May  22,  1876,  the  Rev.  H.  P.  V.  Bogne  was  invited 
to  take  charge  of  the  church,  and  began  his  labors  with  it 
June  10.  In  the  fall  of  the  same  year  the  society  purchased 
a  parsonage,  and  a  lot  adjoining  for  a  church  edifice.  In 
July,  1877,  the  erection  of  a  brick  church  was  begun,  which 
was  finished  in  1878  at  an  expense  of  $12,000.  In  1886  the 
manse  was  enlarged  and  improved  at  a  cost  of  $2,200. 

The  church  has  enjoyed  two  special  seasons  of  revival, 
though  lesser  revivals  have  not  been  infrequent.  In  the 
first  thirteen  years  of  its  history,  exclusive  of  tliose  who 
united  at  the  organization,  84  have  been  received  on  con- 
fession of  faith  and  67  by  letter.  It  has  four  missionary 
societies,  and  a  Society  of  Christian  Endeavor,  which  was 
organized  in  February,  1887.  The  present  pastor  is  the 
only  one  the  church  has  had — Rev.  H.  P.  V.  Bogne.  The 
elders  are  George  G.  Westfall  and  Henry  G.  Woodruff, 
The  trustees,  Aaron  Barber,  Stephen  Hosmer,  George  G. 
Westfall,  James  D.  Carson,  Henry  G.  Woodruff,  John 
Schanck,  David  W.  Gregg  and  John  March. 


HISTORY    OF    ROCHESTER     PRESBYTERY.  135 


BRIGHTON. 

The  Rev.  Solomon  Allen  of  Northampton,  Mass.,  came 
to  Brighton  in  1816.  Previously  acquainted  with  some  of 
the  early  settlers  of  the  town  from  that  State,  lie  followed 
them  to  care  for  their  religious  interests.  The  church  was 
organized  September  18,  1817,  by  Rev.  Messrs.  Solomon 
Allen,  Comfort  Williams  and  Aaron  C.  Collins,  with  22  mem- 
bers, and  until  1870  was  a  Congregational  church.  The  first 
deacons  were  Daniel  West,  Daniel  Smith  and  Henry  Donley, 
who  were  set  apart  to  said  office  in  January,  1818.  The 
regular  place  of  worship  was  a  school  house.  Mr.  Allen 
was  an  interesting  preacher  and  a  most  devoted  pastor,  and 
endeared  himself  to  all  classes  of  the  community.  He  paid 
attention  to  the  children,  and  started  a  Sunday  school  in 
1816.  The  church  in  the  wilderness  prospered,  and  num- 
bered 60  members  at  his  departure  for  his  old  home  in  the 
fall  of  1820.  He  died  in  New  York  City,  January  19th, 
1821,  aged  70  years. 

The  church  has  had  many  stated  supplies,  but  only  five 
regularly  installed  pastors,  the  longest  time  of  service  by 
any  minister  being  ten  years.  Rev.  Jonathan  Winchester 
came  in  January,  1822,  and  had  charge  about  a  year  and  a 
half.  Rev.  Charles  Thorpe  was  installed  April  27,  1825  ; 
the  installation  services  being  combined  with  those  of  the 
dedication  of  the  new  church.  His  pastorate  lasted  about 
three  years. 

Rev.  William  Jones  supplied  the  pulpit  for  eight  months, 
and  his  ministrations  were  marked  by  a  revival  of  religion. 

Rev.  Silas  Pratt  served  the  church  four  months,  and  was 
followed,  in  the  summer  of  1828  by  Rev.  Abner  Benedict, 
who  remained  two  years.  The  church  was  agitated  by  the 
general  anti-Masonic  excitement,  and  other  troubles,  and 
efforts  were  made  to  change  it  to  a  Presbyterian  church. 


136  HISTORY    OF    ROCHESTER    PRESBYTERY. 

Its  first  report  to  the  "Consociation," on  June  1, 1829,  cred- 
ited it  with  116  members. 

Rev.  Linus  W.  Bilhngton  supplied  the  pulpit  two  or 
tliree  months.  Rev.  Charles  G.  Finney  was  in  Rochester 
at  the  time,  and  Brighton  church  enjoyed  a  revival.  In 
1831,  79  persons  were  added  to  the  church.  Rev.  Worth- 
ington  Wright  supplied  the  pulpit  four  or  five  months. 

Rev.  Hiram  L.  Miller  came  in  June,  1831,  and  remained 
a  little  over  two  years.  Fifty-nine  were  added  to  the 
church.  Great  interest  was  taken  by  the  people  in  the 
cause  of  temperance.  A  petition  was  presented  to  the 
Rochester  Presbytery  for  the  organization  of  a  Presbyterian 
church,  but  in  the  interest  of  peace  was  refused. 

Rev.  Samuel  Griswold  served  the  church  for  two  years, 
beginning  January,  1834.  He  was  well  suited  to  guide  in 
these  exciting  times,  and  religious  interest  increased.  Be- 
fore the  year  closed  50  confessed  Christ. 

Rev.  Alva  Ingersol  was  installed  November  10, 1836,  and 
remained  three  years.  The  church  was  distracted  by  divis- 
ions, which  he  labored  hard  to  heal. 

Rev.  Blackleach  B.  Grey  began  his  ministry  here  in  the 
beginning  of  1840,  and  served  ten  years.  A  general  revival 
attended  his  labors  in  1842.  In  August  of  this  year  the 
church  withdrew  from  the  "  Association,"  and  for  twenty 
years  was  independent.  Rev.  T.  B.  Hoyt  succeeded  Mr. 
Grey  for  one  year.  Rev.  Joseph  S.  Barris  came  in  the 
spring  of  1851  and  remained  four  years  and  a  half.  He 
was  a  faithful  minister,  but  the  church  suffered  much 
through  loss  of  members.  In  1852  the  house  of  worship 
was  reconstructed  and  greatly  improved. 

Rev.  John  Wickes  came  April  27,  1856,  and  remained 
six  years.  His  pulpit  and  pastoral  labors  were  appreciated 
by  the  people,  and  a  greater  harmony  prevailed.  The 
Ladies'  Aid  Society,  which  has  been  so  useful,  came  into 
existence  at  this  time. 


HISTORY    OF   ROCHESTER    PRESBYTERY.  137 

Kev,  Charles  E.  Furman  supplied  the  pulpit  a  year,  and 
Rev.  George  W.  Whitney  four  months  from  September  1, 
1863. 

Rev.  James  Orton  of  Thomaston,  Maine,  came  in  1864, 
and  remained  five  years.  He  was  an  interesting  and 
instructive  preacher.  He  accepted  the  Professorship  of 
]S"atural  History  in  Yassar  College  in  March,  1869.  April 
18,  1867,  the  church  edifice  was  burned.  The  people 
courageously  set  to  work  to  repair  the  loss,  and  the  present 
church  was  built  on  ground  given  by  Justus  Yale,  Esq.  The 
new  church  cost  $15,000,  and  was  dedicated  June  23,  1872, 
four  years  after  the  people  began  to  worship  in  it. 

Rev.  Henry  Wickes  began  his  ministry  to  this  church 
November,  1869,  and  remained  five  years.  He  was  highly 
esteemed  for  his  personal  excellencies  and  ministerial  faith- 
fulness. 

The  change  to  a  Presbyterian  church  was  made  with 
unanimity  September  21,  1870,  and  October  16,  Elisha  Y. 
Blossom,  Harrison  A.  Lyon  and  Thomas  B.  Yale  were 
elected  ruling  elders. 

February  16,  1872,  its  corporate  title  was  duly  changed 
to  "  The  First  Presbyterian  Church  of  Brighton." 

Rev.  Joseph  R.  Page,  D.  D.,  was  installed  February  25, 
1875,  and  remained  ten  years.  The  most  pleasant  relations 
existed  between  him  and  his  people.  He  was  a  faithful  and 
conscientious  preacher  and  an  able  Presbyter  and  counsellor. 

Rev.  James  S.  Root  was  installed  May  12,  1885.  The 
church  prospered  under  his  care.  The  congregation  in- 
creased ;  members  were  added ;  the  financial  condition  was 
improved.  He  resigned  to  accept  a  call  to  Emmanuel 
Church,  Rochester,  and  was  released  by  Presbytery  June 
13,  1887. 

Rev.  John  McColl,  called  from  the  church  of  Brandy  wine 
Manor,  Pa.,  began  his  ministry  January  1,  1888,  and  was 
installed  June  8,  1888. 


138  HISTORY    OF    ROCHESTEE    PRESBYTERY. 

The  present  number  of  members  is  130.  The  Sunday 
School,  organized  by  the  first  pastor,  Mr.  Allen,  two  years 
before  any  similar  school  existed  in  the  city  of  Rochester,  is 
in  a  flourishing  condition  under  the  superintendency  of  Mr. 
Theodore  A.  Drake.  The  missionary  societies  are  prosper- 
ous, and  temperance  work  is  actively  carried  on.  For  an 
account  of  the  godly  men  who  served  the  church  as  deacons, 
and  others  to  whom  the  church  owes  so  much,  readers  are 
referred  to  Dr.  Joseph  R.  Page's  history  of  the  churcli, 
from  which  this  sketch  is  drawn. 


BROCK  PORT. 


What  is  now  the  Presbyterian  Church  of  Brockport  was 
organized  March  19, 1828,  as  a  Congregational  church,  with 
six  members ;  and  it  remained  Congregational  in  its  form 
of  government  for  the  first  six  years  of  its  existence.  But, 
in  1831,  it  was  resolved  to  make  a  change,  and  adopt  the 
Presbyterian  form  of  government,  and  six  ruling  elders 
were  chosen,  namely,  Moses  Nash,  Simeon  Benedict,  Jacob 
Sutphin,  Silas  Judson,  Ralph  "W.  Goold  and  Calvin 
McLueston.  Some  seven  years  later,  the  regularity  of  the 
proceedings  in  thus  changing  the  church  to  Presbyterian 
was  seriously  questioned,  and,  as  the  best  method  to  rectify 
the  mistake  and  place  the  church  on  a  safe  basis,  it  was 
resolved,  in  1811,  to  dissolve  the  old  church  and  organize 
anew.  Accordingly,  this  was  done  in  due  form,  and  new 
sets  of  oflicers  elected.  The  ruling  elders  chosen  at  this 
time  were  Jacob  Sutphin,  Plollister  Lathrop,  Ralph  W. 
Goold,  John  Efner,  Ensign  Bushnell,  Simeon  Benedict  and 
Joseph  Ganson.  The  deacons  elected  were  Daniel  Belden 
and  Charles  Wicks.  From  this  date  the  church  of  Brock- 
port  has  remained  a  thoroughly  sound  and  firm  Presbyterian 
organization. 


HISTORY    OF    ROCHESTER    PRESBYTERY.  139 

But  to  return  to  the  origin  of  this  church  :  Not  long 
after  its  organization  in  the  Congregational  form,  steps  were 
taken  to  secure  a  house  of  worship.  A  suitable  lot  for  such 
an  edifice  was  donated  to  the  congregation  by  Mr.  James 
Seymor,  and  thereupon,  with  commendable  expedition,  was 
built  a  substantial  and  convenient  church  at  an  expense  of 
some  $5,000.  After  rendering  good  service  for  about  a 
quarter  of  a  century,  this  was  taken  down  in  order  to  be 
replaced  by  a  better.  The  new  church  was  erected  in  1852 
at  a  cost  of  $6,526,  and  this,  substantially,  is  the  house  now 
occupied  by  the  congregation. 

The  ministers  who  have  occupied  the  pulpit  of  this  church 
and  their  time  of  service,  as  nearly  as  can  be  ascertained, 
were  the  following  : 

Kev.  Eli  S.  Hunter,  I).  1).,  pastor  from  1834  to  June, 
1837. 

Rev.  B.  B.  Stockton,  pastor  from  August,  1838,  t(»  June, 
1813. 

Rev.  Ebenezer  Mead,  S.  S.,  from  November,  18l3,  to 
August,  1844. 

Rev.  Hugh  Mair,  D.  D.,  S.  S.,  from  December,  1844,  to 
September,  1845. 

Rev.  Augustus  W.  Cowles,  pastor  from  February,  1847,  to 
July,  1856. 

Rev.  Joseph  Kimball,  S.  S.,  from  October,  1856,  to  Feb- 
ruary, 1863. 

Rev  John  Morron,  S.  S.,  from  August,  1863,  to  February, 
1865. 

Rev.  Horatio  W.  Brown,  S.  S.,  from  December,  1865  to 
May,  1870. 

Rev.  George  W.  Rawson,  S.  S.,  from  July,  1870,  to  July, 
1871. 

Rev.  D.  Henry  Palmer,  S.  S.,  from  May,  1872,  to  August, 
1875. 

Rev.  David  R.  Eddy,  S.  S.,  from  January,  1876,  to  present. 


140  HISTORY    OF    ROCHESTER    PRESBYTERY. 

This  church  has  been  favored  with  a  number  of  very 
precious  revivals,  the  most  noteworthy  of  which  occurred 
in  the  following  years,  resulting  in  the  hopeful  conversion 
of  the  numbers  set  opposite  thereto,  respectively  : 

Revival  of   1848,  converted  17. 

Revival  of  1851,  converted  39. 

Revival  of  1853,  converted  31. 

Revival  of  1867,  converted  53. 

Revival  of  1878,  converted  37. 

Revival  of  1883,  converted  65. 

To  indicate  the  present  strength  and  past  usefulness  of 
this  church,  it  may  be  stated  that  there  have  united  with  it 
altogether  958  persons.  Of  these,  468  joined  on  profession 
of  faith,  and  490  by  letter.  Of  those  who  became  mem- 
bers on  profession,  311  were  baptised  in  their  infancy 
and  141  when  received.  The  present  number  is  262, 
and  among  these  remain  Mr.  George  F.  Barnett  and  Mr. 
William  H.  Seymour,  who  were  members  of  the  societ}^  at 
its  first  organization,  and  have  resided  in  Brockport  ever 
since. 

A  Sabbath  school  has  been  maintained  in  connection  with 
this  church  from  the  day  of  its  organization.  The  attend- 
ance at  present  is  about  300,  scholars  and  teachers  included. 

A  ladies'  "  Missionary  Society  "  was  formed  here  as  early 
as  1873 ;  it  has  now  a  large  and  active  membership,  and 
through  the  years  of  its  existence  has  accomplished  much 
good. 

A  society  named  "  Merry  Workers"  was  formed  in  1884, 
whose  leading  object  is  to  raise  funds  for  the  injprovement 
of  the  home  church,  and  their  efforts  thus  far  have  been 
rewarded  by  great  success. 

A  young  2)eople's  society  of  "  Christian  Endeavor  "  was 
organized  in  1886,  and  has  continued  in  a  flourishing  con- 
dition, having  at  the  present  time  49  active  and  28  associate 
members. 


HISTORY    OF    ROCHESTER    PRESBYTERY.  141 

A  cliildren's  "  Mission  Band  "  also  was  formed  in  1886, 
with  9  members,  but  now  numbers  29.  The  meetings  thus 
far  have  been  very  interesting  and  have  proved  of  great 
benefit  to  the  children. 

This  church  has  given  to  the  world  two  ministers  of  the 
gospel — Rev.  Corliss  B.  Gardner,  now  pastor  of  Westmin- 
ster Church,  Rochester,  and  Mr.  George  A.  Eddy,  son  of  the 
pastor  of  this  church,  who  has  lately  completed  his  theolog- 
ical studies  at  Princeton. 

The  congregation  owns  a  good  parsonage,  and  owes  no 
man  anything  save  love. 

The  present  ruling  elders  are  Edgar  Benedict,  Joseph  A. 
Tozier,  Horace  A.  Metcalf,  Addison  Gardner,  Henry  W. 
Gardner  and  John  N.  Drake. 


BUSHNELL'S   BASIN. 

Eleven  miles  southeast  from  Rochester,  in  the  town  of 
Perinton,  is  the  great  embankment  over  the  Irondequoit 
creek.  This  embankment  is  one  of  the  greatest  works  on 
the  Erie  canal.  It  is  nearly  a  mile  in  length  and  from  forty 
to  seventy-six  feet  in  height. 

About  1820  a  Mr.  Pardee,  objecting  to  the  canal 
running  through  his  farm,  sold  to  Mr.  Oliver  Hartwell, 
and  the  place  went  by  the  name  of  Hartwell's  Basin. 
Mr.  Hartwell  opened  a  grocery  and  warehouse,  and  built 
boats,  doing  quite  a  business.  In  a  few  years  Bushnell, 
Lyman  Wilmarth  &  Co.  bought  him  out,  and  carried  on 
the  mercantile  and  forwarding  business,  employing  many 
clerks  and  doing  a  large  business  for  many  seasons  during 
the  canal  navigation.  About  one  boat-load  of  flour  was 
shipped  daily  from  this  place,  being  brought  in  from  the 
various  mills  in  the  surrounding   country.     There   are  at 


142  HISTORY   OF   K0CHE8TER   PRESBYTERY. 

present  a  grocery  and  shoe  sliop,  a  tavern,  postoffice,  and  a 
short  distance  south  a  powder  mill. 

A  school  house  was  built  in  1825.  Previously,  about 
1800,  one  had  been  built  a  little  farther  east  (District  No.  1). 

Mr.  Charles  Dickinson,  who  had  commenced  the  mercan- 
tile trade  by  himself,  in  which  he  was  very  successful  in 
after  years,  and  Mr.  Lyman  Wilmarth,  feeling  the  import- 
ance of  observing  the  Sabbath,  took  it  upon  themselves, 
though  non-professors,  to  gather  the  people,  and  conduct 
religious  services  by  reading  scripture,  singing,  and  the 
reading  of  a  sermon.  Rev.  Mr,  Caulkius,  of  Victor, 
preached  to  them  occasionally.  Thus  the  first  religious 
effort  started  in  this  place.  In  1831,  to  a  large  extent 
aided  by  Charles  Dickinson  and  Cyrus  Leonard,  a  house 
of  worship  was  built,  which  was  dedicated  as  a  Congre- 
gational church  by  Rev.  Daniel  Johnson,  who  left  Victor 
in  December,  1831,  and  ministered  to  this  new  church  at 
Buslmell's  Basin  for  nearly  two  years.  This  church  was 
organized  March  1,  1833,  with  twelve  members,  and  was 
received  by  the  Rochester  Presbytery  June  25,  1833.  In 
1834  it  had  increased  to  twenty-four  members.  Some  of 
their  members  having  removed  West,  and  others  having 
connected  themselves  with  the  Congregational  church  at 
Fairport,  this  church  disbanded  informally  in  the  fall  of 
1834.  Mr.  Whittlesey  was  a  deacon  in  the  church.  After 
the  church  had  disbanded  the  house  was  occupied  for  many 
years  as  a  mission  by  different  denominations  at  different 
times.  In  1863  the  property  was  deeded  to  the  Independ" 
ent  Methodists,  and  by  them  to  the  Episcopal  Methodists* 
who,  at  last  account,  continued  to  occupy  the  property.* 


*  The  above  is  compiled  from  "  Half  Century  of  the  Presbytery  of  Roches- 
ter ;  "  Rev.  James  H.  Hotchkin's  History  of  Western  New  York,  and  Prof.  W. 
H.  Mcintosh's  History  of  Monroe  County,  1877. 


HISTORY    OF    ROCHESTER     PRESBYTERY.  143 


CALEDONIA. 

The  First  Presbyterian  Church  of  Caledonia  was  organ- 
ized March  4.  1805,  by  Rev.  Jedediah  Chapman,  of  Geneva, 
K  Y.,  with  52  members,  41  of  whom  were  received  by 
certificate,  the  remaining  11  by  profession.  Three  elders 
were  ordained  to  rule  tlie  church.  The  society  was  under 
the  control  of  the  Presbytery  of  Geneva,  and  supplies  were 
furnished  for  over  three  years ;  said  supplies  consisting  of 
Rev.  Messrs.  J.  Chapman,  Oliver  Ayers,  of  Massachusetts, 
John  Lindsley,  of  Geneseo,  and  Alexander  De  Noon. 

June  14,  1808,  a  call  was  presented  to  Mr.  De  Noon  to 
bacome  the  pastor  of  the  church,  which  was  accepted,  and 
his  ordination  and  installation  took  place  August  16,  of  the 
same  year.  Mr.  De  Noon  was  born  and  educated  in 
Scotland,  came  to  this  country  about  1805,  was  licensed  by 
the  Presbytery  of  Albany,  was  one  of  the  original  members 
of  the  Presbytery  of  Ontario,  was  one  of  the  most 
influential  ministers  of  Western  New  York,  and  was 
greatly  beloved  and  honored  by  the  people  of  Caledonia. 
Mr.  De  Noon's  labors  were  extended  over  a  period  of 
forty  years,  and  considering  the  primitive  condition  of 
society  at  the  commencement  and  the  great  hardships 
the  early  settlers  had  to  endure,  it  may  be  regarded  as 
a  highly  successful  pastorate,  an  increase  of  97  members 
being  made  during  that  time. 

After  the  death  of  Mr.  De  Noon,  the  church  was  without 
a  pastor  for  several  years,  when  a  successor  was  found  in 
Rev.  John  W.  Major,  who  remained  from  May,  1854,  until 
some  time  in  1856.  He  was  followed  by  Rev.  William 
Evan  Jones,  who  was  installed  May  20,  1857,  dismissed  in 
1859.  December  1st,  of  the  same  year.  Rev.  Malcolm  Neil 
McLaren,  D.  D.,  began  his  pastorate,  which  continued  until 
1871 ;  82  members  being  added  to  the  church.  After  leav- 
ing Caledonia,  Dr.  McLaren  retired  from  the  active  minis- 
try and  took  up  his  residence  in  Auburn,  N.  Y.,  where  his 


144  HISTORY    OF    ROCHESTER    PRESBYTERY. 

death  took  place  in  1887.  He  was  one  of  the  celebrated 
McLaren  brothers,  all  three  of  whom  were  eminent  Doctors 
of  Divinity  and  able  preachers  of  the  gospel. 

After  an  interval  of  three  years,  Rev.  John  Kennedy 
Fowler  was  chosen  pastor,  his  ordination  and  installation 
taking  place  November  10,  18Y4.  During  the  winter  of 
1875  a  revival  occurred,  commencing  with  the  week  of 
prayer  and  continuing  for  several  weeks,  at  which  time  65 
persons  were  received  into  the  communion  of  the  church. 
Mr.  Fowler  was  assisted  in  these  protracted  meetings  by  a 
young  class-mate,  Rev.  David  Fay  Stewart,  who  died  a  few 
years  after  in  California.  The  pleasant  pastoral  relations 
existing  between  this  church  and  Mr.  Fowler  were  dissolved 
in  1877 — he  having  accepted  a  call  to  Rockford,  111.  Dur- 
ing this  pastorate  106  persons  were  received  into  the  church. 

November  29,  1878,  Rev.  Thomas  Stephenson  was  in- 
stalled pastor  of  the  church.  At  the  same  time.  Rev.  John 
P.  Campbell,  a  son  of  Elder  Peter  P.  Campbell,  was  or- 
dained to  the  work  of  the  gospel  ministry,  accepting  a 
charge  at  Baltimore,  Md.  Mr.  Stephenson  remained  pastor 
until  March,  1882 — 40  members  being  received  into  the 
church  during  this  period. 

About  ihis  time  the  Presbyterian  church  at  Fowler ville 
was  organized,  drawing  several  families  from  the  Caledonia 
church,  thereby  decreasing  the  number  of  members. 

Mr.  Stephenson  was  succeeded  by  Rev.  John  M. 
Carmichael,  who  began  his  labors  in  April,  1882 — was  in- 
stalled November  15,  of  the  same  year — continuing  until 
November,  1886,  when  he  was  obliged  to  resign,  owing  to 
impaired  health.  There  were  thirty-nine  accessions  to  the 
church  during  his  pastorate. 

After  Mr.  Carmichael's  resignation  the  j^ulpit  was  supplied 
mainly  by  students  from  the  Auburn  Seminary;  Rev. 
Johnson  Henderson,  of  that  institution,  being  engaged  as 
stated  supply  during  the  summer  of  1887.  The  following 
winter  a  call  was  extended  to  Mr.  Henderson,  and  he  was 


HISTORY    OF    ROCHESTER    PRESBYTERY.  145 

ordained  and  installed  May  29,  1888,  and  is  the  present 
pastor.     The  present  number  of  members  is  about  150. 

At  various  times  during  vacancies  the  pulpit  has  been 
ably  supplied.  Among  these  supplies  were :  Rev.  D.  H. 
Palmer,  D.  D.,  how  of  Penn  Yan ;  Rev.  L.  D.  Chapin, 
formerly  Chancellor  of  Ingham  University  ;  Rev.  E.  B. 
Walsworth,  D.  D.,  now  of  Livonia ;  Rev.  Donald  Grant,  of 
Geneva,  and  Rev.  T.  M.  Hodgman,  of  Rochester. 

The  following  are  the  names  of  elders  who  have  held 
office  in  the  church  since  its  organization  : 

Duncan  McPherson,  installed  March  4,  1805. 

Donald  Anderson,         "  "  " 

Donald  McKenzie,         "  "  " 

Archibald  Gillis,  installed  August  16,  1808. 

Peter  Campbell,         "  ''  " 

John  McPherson,      "  "  " 

Donald  Fraser,  "  "  " 

Donald  Fraser,  2d,    " 

John  D.  McColl,  installed  May  19,  1842. 

Alexander  Fraser,       "  "  " 

Angus  McKenzie,  installed  August  19,  1855. 

Peter  P.  Campbell,      " 

Peter  J.  Campbell,      " 

James  Hamilton,   installed  May,   1862. 

Donald  C.  McPherson,  '• 

William  J.  Williams,  installed  April  4,  1875. 

Thomas  Brodie,  "  "  " 

William  E.  Masterton,  installed  May  14,  1882. 

James  Fraser,  "  "  *' 

Peter  P.  Campbell, 

Charles  J.  McKenzie,       "  "  " 

William  S.  McKenzie,      "  "  " 

Hugh  McColl,  installed  January,  1888. 

Arch.  McColl,         "  "  " 

A  flourishing  Sunday  school,  with  over  150  members, 
is  one  of  the  auxiliaries  of  this  church.    In  January,  1881, 


14(>  HISTORY    OF    ROCHESTER   PRESBYTERY. 

a  Young  People's  Christian  Association  was  formed  witli  a 
large  number  of  members.  This  continued  with  great 
success  until  July,  1888,  when  it  was  reorganized  as  a 
Young  People's  Society  of  Christian  Endeavor,  with  32 
active  members,  14  associate  members,  and  with  the  pastor 
as  president.  A  woman's  Missionary  Society  was  organized 
April  9,  1873,  which  has  a  large  number  of  members.  A 
mission  band  known  as  the  "  Cheerful  Workers "  was 
organized  January  4,  1874,  with  over  thirty  members.  The 
present  church  edifice  was  erected  in  1855,  the  parsonage 
in  1862. 


CIiAKLOTTE. 


In  the  year  1851,  Kev.  Thomas  Bellamy  of  Penfield 
came  to  Charlotte  and  called  a  public  meeting,  with  a  view 
to  establish  a  Protestant  church  there.  At  that  meeting  it 
was  decided  that  the  Presbyterians  and  Methodists  should 
unitedly  undertake  the  building  of  a  house  of  worship;  but 
with  the  understanding  that  the  denomination  wliich 
should  raise  the  largest  amount  of  money  for  the  pur- 
pose should  be  the  denomination  of  the  church  about  to  be 
established ;  which  resulted  in  the  success  of  the  Presby- 
terians. The  work  was  at  once  begun  and  vigorously  pushed 
forward  towards  completion,  which  was  accomplished  in  a 
brief  period  at  an  expense  of  about  $2,000. 

The  church  which  was  to  occupy  this  new  building  was 
organized  in  June,  1852,  by  a  commission  from  the  Presby- 
tery of  Rochester,  consisting  of  Rev  James  B.  Shaw,  D.  D., 
Rev.  M.  J.  Hickok,  and  Elders  William  Ailing,  H.  C  Feim 
and  David  M.  Chapin.  The  original  members,  or  those  who 
were  at  this  time  constituted  into  a  Presbyterian  church, 
were  the  following : 


HISTORY    OF    ROCHESTER    PRESBYTERY.  147 


Joshua  Eaton, 

Nicholas  Nelson, 

Adaline  Eaton, 

Hannah  Nelson, 

Phineas  B.  Cook, 

Mrs.  C.  B.  Colburne, 

Mary  B.  Cook, 

Mrs.  Sarah  Root, 

William  Kankin, 

Mrs.  Sophia  P.  Stone, 

Mary  Ann  Rankin, 

Mrs.  Marrette  Allen, 

Joseph  Wiggin, 

Joseph  D.  Buck. 

Catherine  Wiggin, 

Total-  15, 

The  first  ruling  elders  of  this  church  were  Joshua  Eaton, 
Phineas  B.  Cook  and  Zenas  Colburne. 

The  congregation  was  incorporated  April  15,  1851,  and 
its  first  board  of  trustees  was  composed  of  James  S.  Stone, 
Phineas  B.  Cook,  Moses  Wallace,  George  Lotta,  William 
Rankin,  Joshua  Eaton  and  Henry  H.  Babcock. 

The  ministers  who  have  occupied  the  pulpit  and  served 
this  church  are  the  following  : 

Rev.  A.  Ferguson,  from  June,  1852,  to  December,  1856. 

Rev.  A.  T.  Young,  from  April,  1857,  to  April,  1859. 

Rev.  Lemuel  Leonard,  from  June,  1859,  to  September, 
1860. 

Rev.  E.  B.  Van  Auken,  from  January,  1861,  to  April, 
1863. 

Rev.  Thomas  Bellamy,  from  June,  1863  to  November, 
1866. 

Rev.  C.  W.  Ward,  from  May,  1867,  for  a  few  months. 

Rev.  O.  P.  Conklin,  from  April,  1869,  to  March,  1873. 

Rev.  A.  B.  King,  from  April,  1873,  to  April,  1875. 

Rev.  D.  D.  McColl,  from  May,  1875,  to  May,  1878. 

Rev.  R.  J.  Beattie,  from  June,  1878,  to  December,  1878. 

Rev.  D.  M.  Rankin,  from  February,  1879,  to  September, 
1881. 

Rev.  T.  B.  Williams,  from  November,  1881,  to  June, 
1885. 

Rev.  J.  C.  Henderson,  from  October,  1885,  to  the 
present  time. 


148  HISTORY   OF   ROCHESTER    PRESBYTERY. 

Of  all  the  above  ministers,  two  only  were  installed, 
namely,  Eev.  A.  Ferguson  and  Eev.  T.  B.  Williams. 

During  the  ministry  of  Eev.  D.  D.  McColl  a  religious 
interest  was  awakened  in  the  congregation,  which  resulted 
in  adding  a  goodly  number  of  members,  and  this  is  the 
only  revival  that  has  occurred  in  the  whole  history  of  the 
church.  . 

A  Sabbath  school  has  been  maintained  in  connection  with 
this  church  from  the  date  of  its  origin  to  the  present  day  ; 
but  this,  like  the  church,  has  had  its  times  of  prosperity 
and  depression.  At  present  the  school  is  in  a  thriving  con- 
dition, having  within  the  past  two  years  increased  very 
considerably,  both  in  numbers  and  efficiency.  The  present 
superintendent  is  the  pastor,  Eev.  J.  C.  Henderson  ;  secre- 
tary, Mr.  Alexander  Ferguson ;  treasurer.  Miss  Carrie 
Blacknell ;  librarian,  Mr.  George  Swift. 

The  house  of  worship  in  which  the  church  was  organized 
is  still  occupied.  It  has  since,  however,  been  considerably 
repaired  and  improved.  During  the  ministry  of  Mr. 
McColl  the  congregation  bought  a  very  comfortable 
parsonage,  for  which  they  paid  about  $2,500.  Both  the 
house  of  worship  and  the  parsonage  are  entirely  free  from 
debt. 

The  trustees  of  the  church  at  the  present  time  are  D. 
S.  Messro,  D.  S.  Denise,  Alexander  Ferguson,  AVilliam 
Newcomb,  Andrew  Fallison,  and  J.  J.  Miller. 

The  eldership  in  this  church  is  perpetuated  on  the  rotary 
plan,  each  elder  being  elected  to  serve  for  the  term  of  three 
years.  The  present  elders  are  Eichard  Bemish,  Alexander 
Ferguson  and  William  Denise. 

This  church  in  the  past  has  had  to  struggle  against  a  com- 
bination of  adverse  influences,  and  its  growth  in  consequence 
has  been  but  slow.  The  population  around  it  is  and  always 
has  been  largely  Catholic  ;  while  the  non-Catholic  part  are 
also,  by  local  inheritance,  largely  non-church-going  people. 


HISTORY    OF    ROCHESTER    PRESBYTERY.  149 

Add  to  all  this,  Charlotte  being  a  favorite  resort  for  pic- 
nics, excursions  and  recreations  for  all  classes  from  the 
neighboring  city  of  Rochester,  its  Sabbatlis,  through  the 
summer  season,  are  sadly  disturbed  and  desecrated.  But 
the  place  is  growing  and  improving,  and  the  future  of  this 
church  has  never  been  so  encouraging  as  at  the  present 
time. 


CHILI. 

This  church  originated  in  a  religious  "  society,"  organized 
in  the  year  1816,  at  a  meeting  held  in  the  house  of  Mr. 
Isaac  Hemmingway,  in  the  town  of  Chili,  then  a  part  of 
the  town  of  Riga.  This  meeting  was  called  "  for  the  pur- 
pose of  forming  the  professors  of  religion  of  the  Congre- 
gational and  Presbyterian  order,  in  the  vicinity,  into  a 
church  of  Christ."  This  purpose  was  there  and  then  car- 
ried out  under  the  direction  of  Rev.  Hugh  Wallis,  a 
missionary  sent  out  by  the  Geneva  Missionary  Society,  Rev. 
Alanson  Davidson,  pastor  of  the  First  Congregational 
church  of  Riga,  and  Mr.  Henry  Smith. 

The  persons  who  were  thus  constituted  into  a  church 
numbered  eighteen,  and  were  the  following  : 

Abel  Belknap,  Mrs.  A.  Derry, 

Besha  Belknap,  Lemmuel  Potter, 

Patty  Hemmingway,  Daniel  Clark, 

Leah  Marlin,  Conrad  Hartman, 

Lydia  Potter,  Nancy  Marlin, 

Apollos  Derry,  Sarah  Gridley, 

Timothy  G.  Baldwin,  Daniel  Doming, 

Joel  Baldwin,  Fanny  Deming, 

Sarah  Baldwin,  Tamor  Child. 

The  infant  church  held  its  first  regular  meeting  July  24, 
1816,  at  the  house  of  Mr.  John  Wetmore,  where  Apollos 


150  HISTOEY    OF    KOCHESTEK    PRESBYTERY. 

Demiiig  and  Joel  Baldwin  were  chosen  deacons,  and 
Daniel  Clark  clerk.  The  first  minister  w^as  the  Rev.  Mr. 
Chase. 

The  meetings  for  worship  appear  to  have  been  held  at 
private  dwellings,  and  occasionally  in  barns,  until  some  time 
in  the  year  1818,  when  Rev.  Mr.  Martindale  was  called  to 
labor  among  them,  and  a  small  meeting-house  was  built  upon 
the  same  site  as  that  occupied  by  the  present  church. 

At  a  meeting  of  the  Presbytery  of  Rochester,  held  at 
Ogden,  February  10,  1819,  this  "society"  proposed  to  that 
body  to  unite  with  them  on  what  was  called  "the  accommo- 
dation plan  ; "  this  proposition  was  favorably  regarded,  and 
they  were  received  under  its  care. 

The  first  regular  pastor  of  the  church  was  the  Rev. 
Chauncey  Cook,  who  was  installed  December  27,  1821. 
During  the  following  year  there  appear  upon  the  records 
the  names  of  from  96  to  103  members  in  full  communion  ; 
but  at  the  close  of  Mr.  Cook's  pastorate,  1827,  there  were 
but  87  members. 

In  the  spring  of  1828  Rev.  Abner  Benedict  was  invited 
to  minister  to  the  church  for  the  term  of  one  year,  which 
he  did,  leaving  the  number  of  members  a  little  less  than 
he  found  it.  Mr.  Benedict  was  succeeded  by  Rev.  Silas 
Pratt,  who  was  called  to  be  the  pastor,  and  was  installed 
November  25,  1829  ;  under  his  ministry  the  number  of 
members  increased  from  82  to  94. 

In  1832  the  congregation  undertook  the  building  of  a 
new  house  of  worship,  measuring  40  by  60,  which  was 
completed  at  an  expense  of  $2,600,  and  was  dedicated 
January  2,  1833,  Rev.  Mr.  Mead  of  Riga  officiating. 

About  this  time  steps  were  taken  to  change  the  title  of 
the  congregation,  and  obtain  a  charter  under  that  of  the 
"  First  Presbyterian  Society  of  Chili,"  which  now  appears 
on  the  county  records,  in  Liber  I,  page  16  of  Religious 
Incorporations.     Shortly  after  this.  May  25,  1833,  the  form 


HISTORY    OF    ROCHESTER    PRESBYTERY.  151 

of  church  government  also  was  changed,  by  a  nearly  unan- 
imous vote,  from  the  Congregational  to  the  Presbyterian 
system,  tlie  following  persons  being  elected  and  ordained  as 
ruling  elders,  namely,  Alfred  Schofield,  Levi  Campbell, 
Tunis  Brokaw,  Ira  Andrews  and  J.  A.  Gillett.  At  the 
same  time  Alfred  Sclioiield  and  Tunis  Brokaw  were  chosen 
deacons  On  the  same  occasion  Levi  Campbell,  Judah 
Gridley  and  George  Brown  were  elected  trustees. 

Of  the  church  thus  legally  and  ecclesiastically  reorganized^ 
Rev.  L.  Brooks  became  the  first  pastor,  and  remained  such 
until  1837.  Of  the  fruits  of  his  ministry  the  records  give 
no  account.  He  was  followed  by  Rev.  C.  B.  Smith,  whose 
pastorate,  though  short,  only  two  years,  was  yet  productive 
of  great  good.  In  the  winter  of  1837  and  1838,  assisted 
by  Rev.  Mr.  Avery,  he  held  a  series  of  meetings  which 
resulted  in  the  most  fruitful  revival  in  the  history  of  the 
church,  some  seventy  persons  being  received  into  communion 
on  profession  of  faith. 

After  Mr.  Smith's  resignation,  the  pulpit  was  supplied 
for  a  brief  period— the  summer  of  1840— by  Rev.  H.  N. 
Short.  Then  came  Rev.  J.  W.  Fox,  who  was  installed  pas- 
tor and  continued  his  services  for  four  years. 

From  18M  to  1848  Rev.  R.  Man  was  the  pastor,  of  whose 
ministry  no  particulars  are  to  be  found  in  the  church  records. 

The  next  pastor  was  the  Rev.  James  Fenner,  who  was 
installed  February  15,  1849.  His  ministerial  labors  extended 
through  a  period  of  eleven  years. 

From  1860  to  1866  the  pulpit  was  successively  occupied 
by  Rev.  C.  E.  Furman,  Rev.  J.  II.  Phelps,  Rev.  Mr. 
South  worth  and  Rev.  R.  Man,  of  whose  labors  nothing  of 
marked  importance  is  recorded. 

In  1866  and  1867  extensive  alterations  and  repairs  were 
made  in  the  house  of  worship,  at  an  expense  of  about  $1,600. 
Further  repairs  were  made  in  1874  and  1876,  costing  $450. 

From  1868  down  to  the  present  time,  this  church  has  had 
a  succession   of  temporary  supplies   and   short   pastorates. 


152  HISTORY    OF    KOCHESTER    PRESBYTERY. 

Kev.  J.  D.  Lane  served  during  the  year  1868 ;  Eev.  H.  N. 
Short  from  1869  to  1871;  Rev.  Mr.  Hicks  during  J  872; 
Rev.  James  Robertson  during  1873  ;  Rev.  George  Craig 
from  1874  to  1877  ;  Rev.  Wm.  L.  Milliken  from  1878  to 
1882;  Rev.  John  Mitchell  from  1883  to  1884;  Rev.  T.  M. 
Hodgman  and  others  in  1885  ;  Rev.  T.  D.  Hunt  from  1886 
to  1888,  and,  latterly,  students  from  Rochester  Theological 
Seminary. 

There  has  been  a  Sabbath  school  in  connection  with  this 
church  since  the  year  1821.  A  Young  People's  Society 
of  Christian  Endeavor  also  was  organized  a  few  years 
since.  But  this  church  has  not  retained  its  former 
strength  and  standing,  and  its  future  is  not  promising. 
Deaths  and  removals  have  greatly  reduced  the  number  of 
its  members.  The  springing  up  of  other  churches — 
Methodist  and  Baptist — in  the  immediate  neighborhood 
has  also  contributed  to  its  decline. 

Present  elders  are  J.  Allen  Andrews  and  Benjamin  F. 
Bowen. 

Present  trustees — George  Sheldon,  Herbert  Short  and  B. 
F.  Bowen. 


CHURCHVILLE. 


A  commission,  duly  appointed  by  the  Presbytery  of 
Rochester,  consisting  of  Rev.  Joseph  Penny,  D.  D., 
Rev.  Ralph  Clapp,  and  Elders  Ayel  Ensworth  and  Moses 
Hume,  met  at  Churchville  on  the  10th  day  of  July,  1832, 
for  the  purpose  of  organizing  a  Presbyterian  church  at 
that  place. 

The  commission  having  been  duly  constituted  for 
the  performance  of  this  duty,  there  appeared  before 
them    36    persons,   who   presented    letters    of    dismission 


HISTORY    OF    ROCHESTER    PRESBYTERY.  153 

and  recommendation  from  several  different  elnirches — some 
from  the  Presbyterian  church  of  Riga,  some  from  the  Con- 
gregational church  of  Ogden,  and  some  from  the  Dutch 
Keformed  church  of  Schuylerville.  These  persons  presented 
their  letters  for  the  purpose  and  with  the  request  that  they 
be  organized  into  a  new  and  separate  church  ;  and  this  was 
done  after  tlie  usual  manner,  Hubbard  Hall,  Daniel  Hall 
and  George  Redfield  being  elected  as  ruling  elders. 

The  first  minister  of  this  church  was  Rev.  W.  Wright, 
whose  labors  extended  through  about  two  years,  during  which 
there  were  added  to  its  comnmnion  about  35  persons.  He 
was  followed,  for  longer  or  shorter  periods,  by  Messrs,  Rev, 
(jr.  ^Y.  Ellicott,  Richard  DeForest,  David  Slee,  Josiah  Pierson, 
L.  Brooks,  S.  Carver,  R.  W.  West,  Charles  Kenmore,  E. 
W.  Kellog,  —  Thompson  and  H.  L.  Stanley,  the  united 
ministries  of  whom  covered  a  period  of  eighteen  years, 
and  bring  down  the  history  of  the  church  to  the  year 
1850.  Thus  it  will  be  seen  that  the  average  stay  of  her 
ministers  did  not  exceed  a  year  and  a  half ;  yet  during 
the  ministry  of  nearly  all  of  these  more  or  less  additions 
were  made.  The  highest  number  ever  attained  was  80 
members. 

The  records  left  by  this  church  are  scanty  and  defective  ; 
but  two  facts,  which  are  scattered  through  them,  may  serve 
to  indicate  its  condition  and  strength  as  it  advanced  through 
the  years  of  its  brief  history,  namely,  the  number  of  its 
members  and  the  a?nou7it  of  its  benevolent  contributions  to 
the  Bible,  tract  and  missionary  causes.  These  were  as 
follows  : 

Number  of  members— In  1833,  57  ;  in  1837,  67 ;  in  1841, 
80 ;  in  1843,  73  ;  in  1845,  76 ;  in  1847,  55. 

Contributions— In  1833,  $50.68;  in  1842,  $55.05;  in 
1843,  $47.00  ;  in  1844,  $42  00  ;  in  1845,  $51.60  ;  in  1846, 
$65.43. 

The   volume   contain  ins   the   records   of  this   church  is 


154  HISTORY    OF    ROCHESTER    PRESBYTERY. 

largely  occupied  with  complaints  and  charges  against  mem- 
bers, and  with  the  conduct  of  vexatious  trials  and  processes 
of  discipline  on  the  part  of  the  session — a  condition  of 
things  which  could  not  but  prove  detrimental  to  the  spirit- 
ual welfare  of  the  church. 

The  last  minister  employed  by  this  church  as  their  preacher 
was  Eev.  H.  L.  Stanley,  and  the  last  item  of  his  ministry 
entered  in  the  records  is  dated  October  6,  1850.  After 
this  we  have  no  account  of  the  doings  or  condition  of  this 
congregation.  But  some  twenty  years  after  this  date,  we 
find  appended  to  the  records  of  the  session  the  following 
memorandum,  penned,  apparently,  to  account  to  the  genera- 
tions to  come  for  the  end  and  extinction  of  the  Presbyterian 
church  at  Churchville  : 

"  N.  B. — Master  Stanley  was  the  last  minister  employed 
by  the  church.  The  church  became  feeble  and  unable  to 
support  preaching,  and  withdrew  in  due  form  by  letter,  and 
united  with  a  new  organization  in  Cliurcliville,  just  formed 
by  general  consent,  made  up  in  part  by  all  the  old  members. 
This  new  organization  is  called  the  '  Union  Congregational 
Church  of  Churchville.'  They  built  a  new  meeting-house, 
and  have  prospered  unto  this  day,  and  made  a  wise  and  good 
arrangement  for  themselves  and  children,  and  for  the  cause 
of  Christ  in  this  village.  So  ends  this  Book  of  Records  of 
the  Presbyterian  church  of  Churchville. 

-Attest,  LEMUEL   BROOKS, 

"  Minister  and  Clerk, 
"  Churchville,  January  3,  1871." 


HISTOKY    OF    ROCHESTER    PRESBYTERY.  155 


CLAKKSON. 

The  clmrcli  of  Clarkson  was  organized  on  the  first  day  of 
April,  1816,  by  a  council,  under  the  Congregational  form 
of  government,  and  under  the  name  and  title  of  ''The First 
Congregational  Society  of  the  Town  of  Murray."  The 
original  members  numbered  sixteen,  of  whom  four  only 
were  males.  The  first  board  of  Trustees  was  composed  of 
the  following  persons,  namely,  Nathaniel  EoM-ell,  Joshua 
Field,  Witter  Steward,  Abel  Baldwin,  Moody  Freeman  and 
John  H.  Bushnel. 

The  church  was  received  under  the  care  of  the  Presby- 
tery of  Ontario,  February  10,  1819 ;  and  on  the  next  day, 
Kev.  John  F.  Bliss  was  installed  as  its  first  pastor. 

At  a  meeting  duly  called,  and  held  on  the  6th  of  May, 
1S23,  the  name  of  the  church  was  changed,  and  it  was  now 
called  "The  First  Congregational  Church  of  Clarkson," 
part  of  the  Town  of  Murray  having  been  formed  into  a 
separate  township  under  this  name. 

In  the  year  1825,  the  church  engaged  the  Rev.  William 
James  as  their  minister.  The  next  year  we  find  Rev. 
Stephen  Y.  R.  Barnes  in  charge  of  the  congregation. 
During  the  ministry  of  the  latter,  namely,  in  1826,  the  soci- 
ety built  them  a  comfortable  house  of  worship. 

This  church,  at  a  certain  date,  which  the  writer  of  this 
narrative  cannot  give,  withdrew  from  all  connection  with 
the  Presbytery,  and  for  several  years  acted  as  a  strictly 
Congregational  body.  In  1868,  however,  it  changed  its 
polity  to  that  of  pure  Presbyterianism,  by  a  vote  of  15  to  5  ; 
and  the  following  members  were  elected  to  be  its  ruling 
elders,  namely,  Chauncy  Allan,  Hugh  Johnston,  Jonathan 
Wadhams,  Henry  E.  Lawrence,  Luther  H.  Johnston  and 
Joseph  Tozier. 


156  HISTORY    OF    ROCHESTER    PRESBYTERY. 

In  addition  to  the  ministers  already  named,  this  church 
has  been  served,  either  as  pastors  or  stated  supplies,  bj  the 
following  :  Kev.  Charles  E.  Furman,  who  was  installed  in 
February,  1831,  and  continued  his  services  until  1836.  Mr. 
Furman  was  succeeded  by  Rev.  Norris  Bull,  D.  D.,  who 
was  installed  in  June,  1837.  Then  followed,  for  longer  or 
shorter  periods.  Rev.  Charles  McCarg,  Rev.  R.  S.  Goodman, 
Rev.  Ebenezer  M.  Toof,  Rev.  J.  McNulty,  Rev.  Corlis  B. 
Gardner,  Rev.  Francis  Rae,  Rev.  N.  Marcellus  Clute,  Rev. 
Charles  E.  Furman  (a  second  term),  Rev.  Alfred  A,  Graoley, 
Rev.  Elijah  H.  Bonney,  Rev.  Nathan  B.  Knapp,  Rev.  J.  Q. 
Collen  and  Rev.  John  Reid,  the  present  occupant  of  the 
pulpit.     Of  all  these  three  only  were  installed  pastors. 

This  church  has  been  favored  with  several  very  precious 
outpourings  of  the  Holy  Spirit.  Revivals  of  pure  and 
undefiled  religion  were  had  during  the  ministries  of  Messrs. 
Lane,  Furman,  Bull,  McNulty,  Toof,  Goodman  and  Graoley. 
Other  but  less  notable  seasons  of  refreshing  from  the  pres- 
ence of  the  Lord  have  been  enjoyed.  The  church  continued 
to  grow  till  its  roll  of  communicants  numbered  176,  which 
was  the  higliest  number  it  ever  attained. 

The  church  of  Clarkson  organized  a  Sabbath  school  at  an 
early  day,  and  has  kept  it  up  through  its  whole  history. 
This  has  generally  been  flourishing,  and  in  the  course  of  its 
existence  has  accomplished  much  good.  The  present  attend- 
ance is  85,  teachers  and  scholars  included. 

This  church,  sad  to  state,  is  not  now  what  it  once  was  ;  its 
present  number  of  members  is  reduced  to  55,  of  whom  only 
12  are  males.  Several  causes  have  contributed  to  bring  about 
this  decline,  among  which  may  be  named,  the  construction 
of  the  railroads  and  the  canal,  which  have  diverted  trade  to 
order  points ;  and  the  coming  into  the  town  of  a  new  class 
of  inhabitants,  largely  foreigners,  who  are  of  a  very  differ- 
ent religious  faith  and  practice,  or  of  no  religion  at  all. 
But  for  all  this,  to  its  credit  be  it  said,  the  church  still  sup- 


HISTORY    OF    ROCHESTER     PRESBYTERY.  157 

ports  its  minister  witlioiit  any  aid  from  tlie  Home  Mission- 
ary Board. 

The  congregation  now  owns  a  comfortable  parsonage, 
and  also  a  house  of  worship  valued  at  about  $6,000.  More- 
over, the  society  is  free  from  debt. 

Tlie  eldership  has  been  and  still  is  perpetuated  on  the 
rotary  or  term  system  ;  those  acting  at  present  are  Chauncy 
Allan,  Edward  P.  Corlett,  Thomas  Breckenridge  and 
William  B.  Steele. 


DANSVILLE  FIRST. 


The  origin  of  the  church  named  above  is  well  defined  in 
the  following  extract  from  the  sessional  record  bearing  date 
March  25th,  1825.  "At  a  meeting  holden  this  day  pursu- 
ant to  notice  given,  at  the  new  school  house  in  the  village 
of  Dansville,  JS".  Y.,  for  the  purpose  of  organizing  a 
Presbyterian  church,  there  were  present  the  following  per- 
sons, viz  :  James  H.  Hotchkin,  Robert  Hubbard  and  Stal- 
ham  Clary,  ministers,  members  of  the  Presbytery  of  Bath, 
and  Rev.  Silas  Pratt,  member  of  the  Ontario  Presbytery  ; 
the  meeting  was  opened  with  prayer.  An  application  from 
Willis  F.  Clark,  Calvin  E.  Clark  and  Samuel  Shannon, 
members  of  the  church  in  Sparta,  and  residing  in  this 
village,  to  the  Presbytery  of  Ontario,  in  behalf  of  them- 
selves and  others,  for  leave  to  be  organized  into  a  Presbyte- 
rian church  to  be  known  by  the  name  of  the  Presbyterian 
Church  of  Dansville  Yillage,  was  read,  together  with  the  act 
of  said  Presbytery  granting  this  petition ;  whereupon  the 
following  persons,  members  of  the  church  of  Sparta,  N.  Y., 
viz  :  Willis  F.  Clark  and  Charity  his  wife  ;  Samuel  Shan- 
non and  Sarah  his  wife  ;  Calvin  E.  Clark  and  Harriet  his 
wife,  Mrs.  Mary  Rowley,  Mrs.  Elizabeth  Pickell,  Nancy 


158  HISTORY    OF    ROCHESTER    PRESBYTERY. 

Pickell,  together  with  Stephen  Franklin  and  Sarah  his  wife, 

members  of  the Presbyterian  Church  of  Buffalo,  N.  Y., 

presented  themselves  to  unite  in  church  fellowship,  and 
having  agreed  to  adopt  the  Presbyterian  form  of  govern- 
ment and  discipline,  and  having  made  solemn  profession  of 
their  faith,  and  entered  into  covenant  with  God,  and  each 
other,  were  after  prayer,  declared  to  be  a  church  of  Christ 
by  the  ministers  present." 

The  society  thus  organized  immediately  entered  upon  the 
duties  and  privileges  of  church  membership  under  the 
ministry  of  Rev.  Robert  Hubbard,  who  continued  to  hold 
office,  as  stated  supply,  to  this  church,  from  March,  1825, 
to  April,  1834,  a  period  of  nine  years. 

The  first  board  of  ruling  elders,  elected  to  serve  this 
church,  comprised  the  following  persons  :  Stephen  Frank- 
lin, Willis  F.  Clark,  who  were  ordained  to  this  office  by 
Rev,  Mr.  Hubbard  on  Sunday  March  27th,  1825.  Samuel 
Shannon  was  elected  clerk  of  session.  During  the  admin- 
istration of  Rev.  Mr.  Hubbard  the  church  seems  to  have 
enjoyed  constant  growth  and  prosperity.  From  the  charter 
members  of  eleven  in  1825,  the  number  enrolled  as  com- 
municants increased  to  over  two  hundred  in  1834,  with  a  net 
gain  of  something  over  a  hundred.  Accessions  to  the  church 
were  made  from  year  to  year,  the  most  noteworthy  of  these 
occurring  during  the  years  1831-2,  when  there  were 
received  into  communion  109  persons,  of  whom  104  were 
upon  profession  of  faith.  Regarding  the  period  covered  by 
Mr.  Hubbard's  ministry  the  following  extract  is  taken  from 
the  History  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  of  Dansville,  pre- 
pared by  the  pastor,  Rev.  George  K.  Ward,  in  the  year 
1876. 

Additions  were  made  to  this  feeble  church  (charter 
members  eleven),  during  its  connection  with  the  Bath 
Presbytery,  until  the  summer  of  1827,  when  the  church  dis- 
solved its  relation  to  that  body,  and  united  with  the  Pres- 


HISTORY    OF    ROCHESTER     PRESBYTERY.  159 

bytery  of  Ontario,  Synod  of  Genesee.  At  this  time  they  num- 
bered forty-six  members ;  they  had  no  place  of  worship 
except  an  old  school  house,  which  stood  on  the  west  side 
of  Main  street,  on  the  vacant  lot  south  of  the  Clinton  house. 
Upon  the  completion  of  the  new  school  house  (on  the  site 
now  occupied  by  the  Episcopal  Church)  they  had  for  a  time, 
quite  a  convenient  place  of  worship,  but  this  soon  became 
inadequate  to  the  accommodation  of  their  increased  num- 
bers. At  this  time  Mr.  Joshua  Shepard,  a  leading  merchant 
of  the  village,  very  kindly  donated  a  lot  on  Main  street  and 
$1,000.00  to  erect  a  church,  which  offer  was  accepted  by  the 
society,  and  a  building  was  erected  at  a  cost  of  $3,500.00, 
opened  and  dedicated  to  divine  service  in  the  year  1831. 
In  1832,  the  first  protracted  meeting  was  held  in  the  new 
church,  under  the  direction  of  Rev.  Wm.  Curry.  As  a 
result  of  this  effort  between  60  and  70  persons  united  with 
the  church.  In  the  summer  of  1834,  the  Rev.  Robert  Hub- 
bard resigned  his  charge,  and  was  settled  over  a  church  in 
Fowlerville,  where  he  died  in  1S40.  The  Rev.  Elam  H. 
Walker  who  had  been  employed  as  a  missionary  among  the 
Choctaw  Indians  in  the  South,  left  that  field  of  labor,  on 
account  of  poor  health,  accepted  a  call  and  was  installed 
pastor  of  the  Dansville  Church  by  the  Presbytery  of  Ontario 
in  September,  1834.  Seventy  additions  were  made  at  differ- 
ent communion  seasons  during  his  pastorate  up  to  1840, 
when,  through  disaffection  growing  out  of  circumstances 
attending  a  protracted  meeting  conducted  by  Rev.  Augustus 
Littlejohn,  an  unfortunate  division  of  the  congregation 
occurred.  Fifty-six  communicants  adhered  to  Mr.  Walker 
and  the  old  church.  Sixty-six  left  the  fold  and  organized  a 
new  society. 

The  old  church  continued  to  carry  out  its  functions  under 
the  ministry  of  Mr.  Walker  until  his  death,  which  occurred 
in  the  year  1849,  after  intense  and  protracted  sufferings 
from  disease  and  surgical  operations,  which  he  bore  with 


160  HISTORY    OF    ROCHESTER    PRESBYTERY. 

Christian  patience  and  resignation.  Succeeding  Rev.  Mr. 
"Walker  were  the  following  ministers  who  labored  as  stated 
supplies  over  the  church  for  brief  periods  until  1855,  viz  : 

Rev.  Wm.  Powell,  1849-50. 

Rev.  Jno.  Parker.  1850-52. 

Rev.  John  W.  Ray,  1852-53. 

Rev.  Chas.  L.  Hequemburg,  1853-55. 

On  the  31st  day  of  March,  1854,  the  church  edifice  was 
destroyed  by  fire,  which  deprived  them  of  their  beautiful 
house  of  worship.  Services  were  continued,  however,  at 
Canaseraga  Hall  and  at  the  English  Lutheran  Church  until 
1855,  when  Rev.  Mr.  Hequemburg's  ministry  over  the 
church  came  to  a  close.  From  that  time  until  1861,  there 
was  no  regular  pastor  or  stated  worship.  In  June  of  that 
year,  by  mutual  consent  of  the  two  branches  of  the  old 
society,  known  respectively  as  the  First  and  Second  Pres- 
byterian Churches  of  Dansville,  they  were  consolidated  by 
the  Presbytery  of  Ontario  under  the  pastorate  of  Rev. 
Samuel  Jessup. 


DANSVILLE  SECOND. 

The  Second  Presbyterian  Church  of  Dansville  owed  its 
formation  to  a  division  of  sentiment  among  the  members  of 
the  First  Church  which  led  to  a  separation  in  the  year 
1840.  In  that  year  sixty -six  members  of  the  old  church 
seceded  therefrom,  and  formed  the  nucleus  of  what  was 
afterward  known  as  the  Second  Presbyterian  Church.  This 
organization,  having  no  church  edifice,  occupied  for  a  time 
an  upper  room  in  the  Stevens  block  upon  Main  street.  In 
1842  a  house  of  worship  was  erected  at  a  cost  of  about  $4,000. 


HISTORY    OF    ROCHESTER    PRESBYTERY.  161 

This  church  was  ministered  to  by  the  following  pastors 
and  stated  supplies  : 

Rev.  Jno.  N.  Hubbard,  S.  S.,  1840. 

Rev.  Leveret  Hull,  S.  S.,  1840—1842. 

Rev.  D.  N.  Merritt,  Pastor,  1842— 1!<44. 

Rev.  Joel  Wakeman,  S.  S.,  1844. 

Rev.  W.  F.  Curry,  Pastor,  1844—1849. 

Rev.  Chas.  L.  Hequemburg,  Pastor,  1849 — 1853. 

Rev.  John  N.  Hubbard,  S.  S.,  1853—1857. 

Rev.  S.  M.  Campbell,  D.  D.,  S.  S.,  1858. 

Rev.  Dr.  Seager,  S.  S.,  1859. 

Rev.  Mr.  Ford,  S.  S.,  1860. 

Rev.  Samuel  Jessup,  Pastor,  1861 : 

This  Second  Church  enjoyed  a  fair  degree  of  prosperity 
during  the  twenty  years  of  its  existence,  the  number  of  its 
members  having  nearly  doubled  during  that  period.  Periods 
of  special  religious  awakening  occurred  under  the  ministry  of 
Rev.  Leveret  Hull  in  the  year  1840,  when  102  persons 
were  received  into  the  church  at  the  four  seasons  of  com- 
munion. During  the  succeeding  pastorate  of  Rev.  D.  N. 
Merritt,  in  the  year  1843,  about  forty  more  names  were 
added  to  the  roll  In  addition  to  the  sixty-six  members 
constituting  the  original  number,  there  were  added  by 
certificate  and  upon  profession  of  faith,  300  persons  from 
1840  to  1860. 

This  church  was  taken  under  the  care  of  the  Presbytery 
of  Angelica,  July  15,  1840,  soon  after  its  organization,  and 
was  transferred  to  the  Presbytery  of  Ontario,  Feb.  13,  1855. 

DANSYILLE.     (Consolidated.) 

Extract  from  the  Minutes  of  the  Presbytery  of  Ontario 
at  its  session  in  Dansville,  June  4th,  1861  : 

"  The  committee  appointed  to  inquire  into  the  condition 
of  the  First  Presbyterian  Church  in  Dansville,  and  whether 
any   action    of  Presbytery   is   called   for   in   regard   to  it, 


162  HISTORY   OF    ROCHESTER    PRESBYTERY. 

reported  as  follows  :  That  they  have  had  an  interview  with 
the  First  Presbyterian  Church  in  Dansville,  and  finding 
them  destitute  of  the  means  of  grace,  and  of  a  house  in 
which  to  worship,  and  \rith  no  prospect  of  being  able  to 
support  an  independent  organization,  recommend  that  the 
First  and  Second  Churches  of  Dansville  be  consolidated 
under  the  name  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  of  Dansville ; 
that  the  pastor  and  officers  of  the  Second  Church  be  the 
pastor  and  officers  of  the  consolidated  church.  This  report 
was  accepted  and  adopted,  and  the  Rev.  Samuel  Jessup  was 
appointed  to  communicate  this  act  to  the  two  churches. 
"  (Signed)  J.  BARNARD, 

"  Stated  Clerhy 

This  action  was  ratified  by  both  churches,  and  the  forty- 
four  remaining  members  of  the  First  Church  became  thereby 
a  part  of  the  Consolidated  Church.  At  this  time  Rev. 
Samuel  Jessup  was  pastor,  having  entered  upon  his  duties  in 
tlie  fall  of  the  year,  1860.  The  board  of  elders  consisted  of 
the  following  persons  :  "Willis  F.  Clark,  Dr.  Wm.  H.  Reynale, 
Samuel  Lemen,  Calvin  E.  Clark,  Wm.  Ferine,  Edward  S. 
Palmes. 

Mr.  Jessup's  pastorate  continued  for  eleven  years  and  was 
in  every  way  successful.  The  church  edifice  was  enlarged, 
a  neat,  commodious  chapel  was  built,  the  services  were  well 
sustained  and  there  were  additions  to  the  church  to  the 
number  of  222,  forty-four  of  these  coming  in  a  body  under 
the  act  of  consolidation.  During  the  winter  and  spring  of 
1866,  there  was  a  special  religious  awakening  following  upon 
daily  union  meetings  of  the  four  Protestant  churches.  From 
the  beginning  to  the  close  of  that  year  there  were  over  sixty 
additions  to  the  church,  chiefly  upon  profession  of  faith  in 
Christ.  Mr.  Jessup's  administration  closed  in  the  year 
1872.  Following  his  resignation,  the  church  was  supplied  for 
a  year  by  the  following  ministers  of  the  gospel :  Rev.  Messrs. 
Geo.  K    "Ward,  John  Jones,  D.  D.,  and   Jno.    H.  Brodt. 


HISTORY    OF    ROCHESTER    PRESBYTERY.  163 

In  the  spring  of  1873  Kev.  Mr.  Ward  was  called  to  the 
pastorate  of  this  church,  over  which  he  was  ordained  and 
installed  June  4th,  1873. 

Under  Mr.  Ward's  administration  the  society  has  in- 
creased to  nearly  four  hundred  members.  The  chapel  has 
been  enlarged  and  connected  with  the  church,  and  the  fol- 
lowing auxiliary  societies  have  been  organized  :  Woman's 
Foreign  Missionary  Society,  Ward  Home  Missionary  Soci. 
ety,  Willing  Workers,  Young  People's  Society  of  Christian 
Endeavor.  The  Sabbath  school  is  large  and  prosperous.  A 
parsonage  has  been  purchased  in  which  the  pastor  has 
resided  for  the  last  ten  years. 

A  special  season  of  revival  occurred  in  the  year  1884, 
when  fifty-one  were  received  into  the  church. 

At  the  communion  season  of  March,  the  present  year 
(1889)  twenty-four  were  received. 

The  church  is  in  good  working  order,  and  pastor  and  peo- 
ple are  united.  A  monthly  paper.  The  Presbyterian 
Church  He7^ald,  commeucedi  its  issue  in  April,  1889.  The 
present  elders  are :  David  D.  McNair,  Geo.  W.  DeLong, 
Geo.  W.  Shepherd,  Wm.  T.  Spinning,  James  M.  McCurdy,' 
Alexander  Edwards. 


FOWLERVILLE. 


On  the  16th  of  November,  1832,  at  their  own  request, 
the  following  persons  were  set  off  from  the  Presbyterian 
Church  of  York  to  form  a  church  at  Fowlerville :  Amos 
Skinner,  Olive  Skinner,  Ezekiel  Morely,  Sally  Fowler, 
Joseph  Tosier,  Alfred  Collins,  Nancy  Weller,  Elizabeth 
McKnight,  Clarissa  Janes,  Mary  Eastman,  Lavinia  Roberts, 
Mary  S.  Eastman. 

Rev.  John  Eastman  acted  as  moderator,  and  Rev.  John 
B.  Whittlesey  preached  tlie  sermon  from  Cant.  VI :  10. 


164  HISTORY    OF   ROCHESTER   PRESBYTERY. 

The  E.ev.  John  Eastman  was  the  first  minister,  who,  as 
stated  supply,  remained  until  1832  or  1833,  and  was  fol- 
lowed by  Rev.  Mr.  Walker  for  a  short  time.  Rev.  Robert 
Hubbard  was  reported  as  stated  supply  in  1834,  who,  was 
followed  by  Rev.  Messrs.  Powell,  Hezekiah  B.  Pierpont, 
Jacob  Burbank,  Orange  Lyman,  Mr.  Slie,  and  E.  H. 
Stratton. 

Rev.  John  P.  Foster  was  ordained  and  installed  pastor  by 
the  Presbytery  of  Ontario,  Sept.  21,  1842,  which  relation 
was  dissolved  Jan.  30,  1844.  He  was  followed  by  Rev. 
Messrs.    Robert   Laird,  Bridgeman, 

Chapin,    Henry    Snyder,    Timothy    Darling,    Thomas     A. 
Wadsworth,  Moses  Powell,  Yeomans  and  W.  M. 

Modesit.     During  the   ministries   of   Pierpont,  Laird  and 
Wadsworth  there  were  quite  extensive  revivals. 

During  the  ministry  of  Rev.  Thomas  A.  Wadsworth  in 
the  year  1856,  the  church  withdrew  from  the  care  of 
the  Ontario  Presbytery  and  became  distinctively  Congre- 
gational, it  having  before  this  been  connected  with  Presl.)y- 
tery  since  Aug.  25,  1829,  on  the  "  Accommodation  Plan," 
as  the  Second  Presbyterian  Church  of  York. 

In  the  year  1878,  this  Congregational  Church  having 
become  very  weak,  the  Presbytery  of  Rochester  in  response 
to  an  overture  to  that  effect,  reorganized  the  same  by  set- 
ting off  from  the  First  Presbyterian  Church  of  Caledonia 
sixteen  members,  who,  uniting  with  twenty-three  of  said 
Congregational  Church,  three  from  the  United  Presbyter- 
ian Church  of  Caledonia,  four  from  the  United  Presbyter- 
ian Church  of  York,  two  from  the  Presbyterian  Church  of 
Ireland,  and  four  on  profession  of  faith,  fifty-two,  in  all, 
were  constituted,  April  22nd,  1878,  the  First  Presbyter- 
ian Church  of  Fowlerville,  by  Rev.  Samuel  M.  Campbell, 
D.  D.,  of  Rochester. 

Of  the  church  thus  organized  the  Rev.  Eugene  G.  Cheese- 
man  acted  as  stated  supply  for  one  year  ;  Rev.  Frederick 


HISTORY    OF    ROCHESTER     PRESBYTERY.  165 

D.  Seward  as  stated  supply  from  April  1,  1879,  to  Oct., 
18S1,  and  Rev.  Sybrant  Nelson  as  stated  supply  from  April 
9,  1882,  to  April  9,  1886.  Then  followed  brief  supplies 
for  a  year  when,  May  25,  1887,  Rev.  Bevard  D.  Sinclair 
was  ordained  and  installed  pastor,  which  relation  was  dis- 
solved April  21,  1889. 

The  pastorate  of  Mr.  Sinclair  was  blessed  with  a  revival. 
In  seven  months  thirty-five  were  received  on  profession  of 
faith,  twenty-two  of  whom  were  received  at  one  commun- 
ion. The  following  persons  were  deacons  while  the  church 
was  Congregational,  viz :  Amos   Skinner,  Ezekiel  Morely, 

Merrill,  Eastman,  Israel  Casoey, 

and  Sackett. 

The  Sunday-school  superintendents  during  the  same 
period  were  :   Joseph  Tosier,  Merrill,  Miss  Polly 

Hubbell,  James  Fowler,  John  P.  Casey,  B.  F.  Dow,  F.  F, 
Dow. 

There  have  been  the  following  elders  since  the  reorgani- 
zation in  1878  :  William  Fraser,  Gerrit  S.  Casey,  F.  F. 
Dow,  Theodore  Freeman,  Matthew  Ralph,  and  Hugh  B 
Agar. 

A  Total  Abstinence  Society  in  connection  with  the  church 
existed  as  early  as  1837. 

A  Woman's  Missionary  Society,  both  Home  and  Foreign, 
has  existed  since  1879. 

A  Young  People's  Society  of  Christian  Endeavor  was 
organized  by  Rev.  B.  D.  Sinclair  in  1887,  which  still  con- 
tinues in  vigorous  operation. 

A  Young  Ladies'  Mission  Band  was  organized  in  1S85, 
which  is  in  full  vigor  at  present. 

The  present  board  of  trustees  is  composed  of  Robert 
Vallance,  John  W.  Horn,  George  McPherson,  Leroy  Bud- 
long  and  John  Hunter.  The  first  church  building  was 
erected  about  the  year  1833,  on  the  public  park,  and  was 
destroyed  by  fire  April  13,  1836,  supposed  to  be  the  work 


166  HISTORY    OF    ROCHESTER   PRESBYTERY. 

of  an  incendiary,  and  resulting  from  abolition  meetings 
which  had  recently  been  held  in  the  church.  Another 
building  was  erected  in  the  immediate  rear  of  the  former  in 
1838.  In  1882  quite  extensive  repairs  were  made  at  an 
exjDense  of  about  $3,100.  The  church  as  thus  renovated, 
having  a  pleasant  lecture-room  in  the  rear,  was  re-dedicated, 
with  a  sermon  by  Rev.  Josiah  E.  Kittridge,  D.  D.,  Oct.  27, 
1882.     The  society  also  owns  a  good  parsonage. 


YORK. 

Hotchkin's  History,  which  is  dated  1848,  says :  "  This 
church  is  first  noticed  on  the  records  of  the  Presbytery  of 
Ontario,  Oct.  14th,  1828.  Rev.  Johnson  Baldwin  was  then 
stated  supply.  In  1830  it  numbered  iifty-five  members  ;  in 
1836,  one  hundred  and  sixty-six,  and  in  1840  one  hundred 
and  sixty.  This  is  the  last  enumeration  known  to  the 
writer.  Rev.  Johnson  Baldwin  was  its  stated  supply  as 
early  as  the  year  1826,  and  continued  to  the  close  of  1828. 
He  was  succeeded  by  Rev.  John  B.  Whittlesey,  who  was 
installed  as  pastor  Nov.  18,  1830,  and  continued  till  Jan. 
15,  1833,  when  he  was  dismissed.  In  1836  Rev.  John  H. 
Carle  was  reported  as  the  stated  supply,  and  the  next  year 
Rev.  Caleb  Burge.  Rev.  Silas  C.  Brown  was  installed 
pastor  Jan.  23,  1838,  and  officiated  till  May  5,  1841,  when 
he  was  dismissed  from  his  charge.  In  1832  forty-five 
members  were  reported  as  having  been  added,  by  profession, 
to  the  church  during  the  preceding  year,  indicating  that  the 
church  had  been  visited  with  a  gracious  efiiusion  of  the 
Holy  Spirit.  In  the  support  of  Messrs.  Johnson  and  Whit- 
tlesey, the  church  was  assisted  a  number  of  years  by  the 
American  Home  Missionary  Society.  They  have  an  appro- 
priate house  of  worship  which  was  erected  in  1830." 


HISTORY    OF    ROCHESTER    PRESBYTERY.  1()7 

To  the  foregoing  statement  of  Mr.  Hotchkin  may  be 
added  that  the  last  reference  to  this  cliurch  by  the  records 
of  Ontario  Presbytery  is  under  date  of  Oct.  28,  1844,  when 
its  records  were  approved,  and  it  is  thought  tliat  soon  after 
this  the  church  withdrew  from  Presbytery  and  existed  for 
about  twenty  or  twenty-five  years  as  a  Congregational 
church,  when,  having  become  very  weak,  the  organization 
was  abandoned  and  the  building  used  for  other  than 
church  purposes. 

A  strong  United  Presbyterian  Church  in  the  village  of 
York  traces  its  origin  as  far  back  as  1811,  and  a  Reformed 
Presbyterian  Church  was  organized  in  1832,  both  vigorous 
churches  at  the  present  time. 


GATES. 

The  brevity  of  the  space  allowed  for  this  narrative  and 
the  number  of  particulars  to  be  embraced  in  it  demand  a 
concise  plan,  and  the  wi-iter  adopts  the  following : 

Origin.  ''  The  first  Presbyterian  Society  of  the  town  of 
Gates,"  as  a  corporate  body,  dates  from  October  15,  1828, 
when  according  to  the  provisions  of  law,  three  trustees 
were  duly  elected,  namely,  Matthias  Garrett,  Amasa  Kellog 
and  William  Jameson.  But  that  "  society,"  for  some  unre- 
corded reason  was  not  organized  as  a  church  until  March  8, 
1831.  The  original  members  were  but  five — Nathaniel  B. 
Lord,  Sarah  Ford,  Oliver  Noble,  Dr.  Ezra  Butterfield  and 
Nabby  Butterfield  ;  N.  B.  Lord  being  chosen  as  "deacon  " 
and  Dr.  Butterfield  as  "  clerk." 

Edifice.  Their  first  place  of  worsliip  was  the  ball-room 
of  a  tavern,  kept  by  Eliezar  Howard.  After  statedly 
assembling  in  this  place  for  some  three  years,  a  small  frame 
church  was  built,  costing  about  $400,  the  site  together  with 
the  ground  for  the  adjoining  cemetery  being  donated  to  the 


168  HISTORY    OF    ROCHESTER     PRESBYTERY. 

society  by  Mr.  Howard.  Ten  years  later,  a  new  and  more 
commodious  house  of  worship  was  built  on  the  same  spot, 
at  an  expense  of  some  $1,000.  This  was  dedicated,  January 
23,  1845.  After  occupation  for  a  quarter  of  a  century, 
repairs  became  necessary ;  and  in  1871,  these  were  under- 
taken, and  great  changes  and  improvements  made  in  the 
interior,  all  accomplished  mainly  through  the  influence  and 
agency  of  Mr.  Thomas  S.  Joslin.  Other  improvements  have 
been  made  since.  This  church  is  situated  just  four  miles 
directly  west  of  the  centre  of  Rochester. 

Pastorate.  Of  those  who  ministered  to  the  infant  church 
during  the  first  seven  years  of  its  existence  we  have  no 
account,  save  of  one,  Kev.  George  G.  Sill,  who  was  the 
prime  mover  in  the  erection  of  the  first  house  of  worship. 
But  from  the  year  1838  to  1845,  its  pulpit  was  supplied,  for 
varying  periods  by  Rev.  Messrs.  Hilam  W.  Lee,  Dr.  K.  Gaily 
and  Hugh  Wallace,  whose  services  extended  over  three  years. 
In  1845,  Rev.  James  Ballentine  was  called  to  be  their  minis- 
ter, who  served  the  church  with  great  fidelity  for  sixteen 
years,  and  was  the  only  installed  pastor  it  has  ever  had. 
From  1861  to  1866,  the  desk  was  occupied  successively  by 
Rev.  Messrs.  Francis  Surbridge,  Ezra  F.  Munday,  —  Bishop 
and  Gavin  L.  Hamilton,  also  several  students  from  the  Bap- 
tist Seminary.  In  1867,  Rev.  Charles  E.  Furman  became  the 
supply,  and  served  for  something  over  two  years.  He  was 
followed  by  several  transient  supplies,  or  those  whose  terms  of 
service  were  quite  brief,  among  the  latter  were  Rev.  Messrs. 
John  E.  Baker,  Edward  B.  Van  Auken,  Henry  M.  Morey  and 
Willis  C.  Gaylord.  In  the  spring  of  1874,  Rev.  Henry  Wickes 
became  tlie  preacher,  and  labored  with  them  till  the  fall  of 
1876.  Then  followed  a  period  of  eight  years,  during  which 
students  and  transient  ministers  occupied  the  pulpit,  the  last 
of  whom  was  Rev.  John  Mitchell,  who  remained  with  them 
for  a  year  and  a  half. 

In  November,  1884,  Rev.  Herbert  W.  Morris,  D.  D.,was 
asked  to  preach  to  them  for  a  few  Sabbaths,  while  they 


HISTORY    OF    ROCHESTER    PRESBYTERY.  169 

looked  for  a  suitable  su})ply  ;  this  not  appearing  or  not 
sought  for,  at  their  urgent  request,  he  has  continued  ever 
since  to  render  them  all  pastoral  services,  though  not 
installed. 

Eldership.  For  three  years  from  its  organization,  the 
only  officers  known  in  the  church  were  a  deacon  and  a  clerk. 
Its  first  ruling  elders  Avere  elected  and  ordained  in  1834, 
who  were  Matthias  Garret,  Ezra  Butterfield,  Calvin  Sperry 
and  Rufus  J.  Bushnell.  In  1842,  through  deaths  and 
removals,  the  church  was  so  reduced  that  Presbytery  author- 
ized the  male  members  to  act  as  a  session.  This 
state  of  things  continued  till  1845,  when  a  new  board  of 
elders  was  organized.  Subsequently  we  find  James  C. 
Van  JS'est,  Henry  L.  Monroe,  John  Gardner  and  George  B. 
Sperry  acting  as  members  of  the  session.  The  elders  at 
the  present  time  are  Thomas  Roe,  Thomas  S.  Joslin,  Frank- 
lin S.  Hinchey  and  S.  W.  Hulbert.  These  have  been  elected 
for  limited  terms. 

Memhership.  The  growth  of  the  church  in  numbers  has 
not  been  great  or  rapid  at  any  period.  As  stated,  it  was 
organized  with  five  members.  At  the  end  of  the  first  ten 
years  it  had  26  members,  of  the  second  82,  of  the  third  76, 
of  the  fourth  63,  of  the  fifth  58,  and  at  the  present  time  it 
has  99.  Had  it  enjoyed  the  services  of  settled  pastors,  its 
growth  and  usefulness  doubtless  would  have  been  much 
greater. 

Sabhath  School.  This  church  has  had  its  Sabbath  school, 
embracing  Bible  classes  through  the  whole  period  of  its 
existence.  The  entire  Sabbath  school  membership  at  the 
end  of  the  first  decade  was  25,  of  the  second  115,  of  the 
third  75,  of  the  fourth  90,  of  the  fifth  57,  and  at  the  present 
is  83.  Its  earlier  superintendents  were  Calvin  Colt,  Rev. 
Hugh  Wallis,  Asaliel  Pratt  and  Calvin  Sperry.  The  last 
named  held  the  office  for  23  years,  resigning  in  1867.  This 
servant  of  God  had  for  his  successors  Franklin  S.  Hinchey, 


170  HISTORY    OF    ROCHESTER    PRESBYTERY. 

John  Gardner,  Isaac  Simmons,  Thomas  Roe,  Jeremiah 
Smith  and  Edward  M.  Behan,  who  is  the  present  incum- 
bent. This  school,  tliongh  small,  has  been  a  power  for  good, 
and  its  records  present  much  that  is  interesting  and  instruc- 
tive, such  as  tlie  following  items :  "Cyrenia  Baker 
recited  1289  verses,  Ansell  Mills,' 1341  vs.  and  William  Colt 
1507  vs."  Again  "^  class  of  girls  recited  5204  vs.; 
B  class  of  boys  recited  5884  vs."  Members  of  this  school 
fought  and  fell  on  many  a  bloody  field  in  the  war  of  the 
great  rebellion.  For  September  14,  1802,  we  lind  this  sad 
record,  "Our  young  men's  Bible  class  is  broken  up,  most 
of  them  having  joined  the  army."  Again,  later,  "Theodore 
Sperry,  after  suifering  all  the  horrors  of  a  rebel  prison  was 
with  us  to-day  " — "Alexander  Patterson  was  carried  to  the 
hospital  where  he  expired  " — "  George  Rowe  died  from  his 
wounds," — etc. 

Missions.  This  church  has  also  its  Missionary  Society, 
which,  as  an  auxiliary  of  the  Women's  Missionary  Society 
of  Rochester  Presbytery,  is  active  and  earnest  in  its  efforts 
to  promote  the  good  cause.  Its  president  is  Miss  Carrie  M. 
Smalley,  secretary  Miss  Myrtie  Beman,  and  treasurer  Miss 
Jennie  Curry. 

Trustees.  The  present  board  of  trustees  are  Alfred  J. 
Rudman,  Henry  Patten  and  Frank  Booth. 


GENESEO  FIRST. 


Lakeville  is  a  small  village  situated  at  the  foot  of  Lake 
Conesus  (from  which  it  derives  its  name)  six  miles  north- 
east from  Geneseo,  the  shire  town  of  Livingston  county, 
N.  Y.  Among  the  first  to  settle  in  this  locality  were  James 
Haynes  and  Daniel  Kelly,  from  Pennsylvania.  These  were 
followed   a   few   years    afterwards    by   Benjamin    Wynn, 


HISTORY    OF    ROCHESTER    PRESBYTERY.  171 

Abraham  Duffenbaclier,  Abraham  McCliutock  and  Duncan 
Sinclair.  Time  passed  on  and  tliere  came  from  Connecticut 
and  from  the  eastern  part  of  the  State,  several  emigrant 
families,  among;  whom  were  K.  Wattles,  E.  Bigelow  nnd  A. 
C.  Knight,  with  the  households  of  M.  Armstrong.  W,  Price, 
W.  McClintock  and  R.  Densmore,  who  settled  in  Livonia. 
The  descendants  of  many  of  these  original  emigrants  still 
hold  and  occupy  the  homesteads. 

The  P'irst  Church  was  organized  with  twelve  meinbers  in 
1795  by  Rev.  Daniel  Thatcher,  a  missionary  of  the  "  Pres- 
byterian General  Assembly."  Its  title  was  "  The  First 
Presbyterian  Church  of  Geneseo,"  which  name  it  still  bears. 
It  was  the  earliest  of  all  the  churches  in  this  part  of  the 
county.  The  tirst  members  w^ere  nearly  all  Presbyterians, 
the  place  of  worship  being  a  small  building  on  "  Temple 
Hill,"  above  the  village  of  Geneseo.  In  course  of  time 
several  joined  by  letters  from  Congregational  bodies  in  the 
Eastern  States.  In  ordei-  to  avoid  friction  and  secure 
unity  of  feeling,  the  elders  resigned.  The  "  Plan  of  union 
adopted  by  the  General  Assembly  and  the  General  Associa- 
tion of  the  State  of  Connecticut  being  adopted,  with  a 
standing  committee  in  place  of  a  church  session."  But 
this  measure  was  not  attended  with  success.  There  was  no 
real  harmony.  Acting  wisely  under  the  circumstances,  the 
Congregationalists  asked  and  obtained  letters  of  dismission, 
and  organized  another  church,  which,  after  several  changes, 
is  now  known  as  "  The  Presbyterian  Church  of  Geneseo 
Village."  The  original  Presbyterian  element  removed  to 
the  eastern  part  of  the  town,  where  they  met  for  worship 
during  several  years  in  a  school  house  during  the  winter 
months,  and  in  a  barn  in  summer.  In  the  year  1821:  a 
house  of  worship  was  erected — a  plain,  unpretending  struc- 
ture, but  was  the  spiritual  birthplace  of  many  persons, 
some  now  living  and  many  more  above. 

In  the  year  1855,  the  commodious  and  attractive  building. 


172  HISTORY    OF    ROCHESTER    PRESBYTERY. 

where  services  have  since  been  held,  was  completed  and 
dedicated  to  the  worship  of  the  Triune  Jehovah  ;  a  sermon  of 
characteristic  scholarship  being  preached  by  the  late  Samuel 
H.  Cox,  D.  D.,  at  that  time  chancellor  of  Ingham  Univer- 
sity, Le  Roy.  The  old  structure  still  stands,  though  for 
uses  secular  but  not  unsacred.  It  is  a  barn  alike  in  kind  with 
the  place  where  the  church  convened  in  its  early  days. 
The  older  members  of  the  parish  cannot  look  upon  it  with- 
out a  moved  heart  and  a  tearful  eye. 

Pmtm'8  and  Stated  Supplies. — Revs.  Samuel  Thatcher. 
1795  ;  John  Lindsley,  1806-1817  ;  Silas  Pratt,  1824-1827  ; 
Horace  Galpin,  1S27-1831;  Elijah  AVoolage,  1831-1832; 
Merrit  Harmon,  1832-1842;  Sidney  S.  Brown,  1843-1845  ; 

Chamberlain,   3    months,1845 ;   Charles   Richards, 

1845-1849;  E.  M.  Toof,  1849-1853;  Chas.  Livingston, 
6  months  of  1853;  Lafayette  Dudley,  1853-1854;  William 
Reed,  3  months,  1854;  Edwin  Moore,  1855-1860;  Geo. 
AY.  Mackie,  1860-1861;  DwightScovel,  1861-1867;  Alvin 
Baker,  1867-1871 ;  John  Jones,  D.  D..  1871-1872 ;  John 
Mitchell,  1873-1879;  ^"ewton  J.  Conklin,  1879-1883;  F. 
De  W.  Ward,  D.  D.,  1883-1889. 

Elders. — Daniel  Kelly,  John  Haynes,  John  Ewart,  1795; 
Duncan  Sinclair,  Abram  Duffenbacher,  John  Haynes, 
Abraham  McClintock,  Robert  Clark,  Jolm  R.  Haynes, 
Epaphroditus  Bigelow,  Richard  A.  Riley,  Joseph  Haynes, 
Enoch  Babcock,  Abraham  H.  Williams,  James  llaynes, 
James  S.  Wells,  M.  D.,  Revilo  Bigelow,  J.  Hunter  Haynes. 

Trustees. — James  Haynes,  E.  Bigelow,  Wm.  McClintock, 
Robei't  Clark,  R.  T.  Sinclair,  Hugh  Gray,  Joseph  Haynes, 
Roger  Wattles,  William  Haynes,  Samuel  Carman,  Jonathan 
Hill,  Amos  Scliofield,  John  Price,  R.  A.  Riley,  Peter  Dopp, 
R.  Beckwith,  L.  H.  Williams,  G.  E.  Hill,  L.  F.  Olmstead. 
A.  C.  Knight,  E.  Hillman,  H.  Hillman,  Daniel  Bosley, 
R.  Densmore,  J.  H.  Haynes,  W.  C.  McClintock,  Charles 
Price. 


1 

i 

0        ^>       - 

f 

^^^^^^ 

1 

/^^ 

T 

"A 

^""^R^^^^Hli^l 

REV.    F.    DE  W.    WARD,    D.  D. 


history  of  rochester  presbytery.  173 

Officers  in  1888. 

Minister.— Rew  F.  De  W.  Ward,  D.  D.,  for  twenty  years 
pastor  in  Geneseo. 

Elders.— David  Densinore,  C.  P.  Weeks,  S.  N.  Kniglit, 
Daniel  Bigelow. 

Trustees. — William  Harris,  K.  Bosley,  Edgar  Gray. 

Sunday  School. 

Superintendent,  Charles  D.  JS'eff  ;  Assistant,  Edward  R. 
Bosley  ;    Treasurer,  C.  Knight. 

Within  the  parish  boundaries  are  fifty  families,  some  of 
them  dating  back  before  the  present  century.  Attendance 
upon  Sabbath  and  neighborhood  services,  the  Sabbath  School 
and  regular  contributions  to  all  the  church  boards,  indicate 
a  fair  amount  of  prosperity  ;  additions  are  made  at  almost 
every  communion. 


GENESEO. 

I.  Second  Presbyterian  Church  of  Geneseo.* 
This  church  was  organized  May  h,  1810,  with  21  members 
as  follows :  Elizabeth  Reed,  Mary  Rew,  David  Skinner, 
Jerusha  Skinner,  David  Kneeland,  Mercy  Kneeland,  Cephas 
Beach,  Dolly  R.  Beach,  Deliglit  Finley,  Samuel  Finley, 
Lucy  Finley,  Louise  Chappell,  Abigail  Case,  Alice  Skinner, 
Betsey  Finley,  Candice  Beach,  Sylvia-  Kneeland,  Annie 
Alvord,  Russell  Lord,  Nabby  G.  Kneeland,  Sibbil  Law- 
rence. 

David  Skinner  was  chosen    moderator,   Samuel    Finley 
clerk,  and  David  Skinner  and  Cephas  Beach  deacons. 

♦The  history  of  The  Presbyterian  Church  of  Geneseo  Village  (1880-1889)  naturally 
embraces  sketches  of  the  related  ecclesiastical  org-anizations,  the  Second  Pren- 
lyuterian  amrchof  Oene-seo  (1810-1880)  and  the  Central  Preahyterian  Church  of 
Geneseo  (1858-1880)      These  sketches  follow  in  their  natural  order. 


174  HISTORY    OF    ROCHESTER    PRESBYTERY. 

The  original  settlers  in  this  region  were  Presbyterians 
from  Pennsylvania.  The  first  religious  society  was  thus 
Presbyterian  and  was  organized  in  1795  by  Kev.  Daniel 
Thatcher,  a  missionary  of  the  General  Assembly.  The  new 
organization  was  Congregational.  Its  members  were  Con- 
gregationalists  from  New  England.  Withdrawing  from  the 
First  Presbyterian  church,  they  were  organized  as  a  new 
church  by  Rev.  Daniel  Oliver,  a  missionary  of  the  Mas- 
sachusetts Home  Missionary  Society.  In  1814,  the  church 
adopted  the  confession  of  faith  of  the  Presbyterian  church 
and  came  under  the  care  of  Geneva  Presbj'tery  on  what 
was  called  the  "  accommodation  plan."  In  December,  1817, 
the  Presbyterian  form  of  government  was  adopted  in  full, 
the  church  took  its  name  as  the  Second  Presbyterian  Church 
of  Geneseo,  and  elected  Jonathan  Ellis,  Reuben  Weeks  and 
Oliver  Skinner,  elders.  Frederick  Hill  was  elected  elder  in 
1819,  and  Norman  Bushnell  deacon  the  same  jem:  In  1820, 
Elijah  Dresser  was  chosen  deacon  ;  in  1824,  Reuben  Weeks, 
and  in  1829.  John  Colt,  Eben  N.  Buel  and  Oliver  Skinner. 
The  church  again  formally  adopted  the  Presbj'terian  form 
of  government  September  3, 1834,  and  elected  on  the  rotary 
plan  the  following  board  of  nine  elders  :  Charles  Colt, 
Cyrus  Wells,  Jr.,  Jacob  B.  Hall,  Samuel  A.  Hubbard, 
Chauncey  Parsons,  Levi  Goddard,  Freeman  Hastings, 
William  H.  Stanley  and  Owen  P.  Olmsted.  A  year  later, 
there  were  added  to  till  vacancies  Frederick  W.  Butler, 
Samuel  F.  Butler  and  Russell  Austin.  Samuel  Gardner 
was  elected  deacon. 

The  town  house'  was  the  first  place  of  worship.  This  had 
been  moved  from  the  public  square  on  Main  street  to 
Temple  Hill  a  few  years  before  and  now  came  under  the 
control  of  the  church  and  was  called  their  meeting  house. 

The  ecclesiastical  society  was  incorporated  under  the 
name  of  the  "  Geneseo  Gospel  Society,"  September  11, 
1815,    with    Joseph    W.  Lawrence,  Samuel    Finley,    Isaac 


HISTORY    OF    ROCHESTER    PRESBYTERY.  175 

Smith,  William  H.  Spencer,  Samuel  Loomis  and  Timothy 
P.  Kneeland,  trustees.  The  year  following  Aaron  Skinner, 
Elijah  Dresser  and  Jonathan  Ellis  were  elected  to  fill  vacan- 
cies, in  1817,  James  Wadsworth  and  Charles  Colt,  in  1818, 
Orlando  Hastings  and  in  1819,  Norman  Buslmell. 

In  1811,  a  novel  expedient  was  adopted  for  supporting 
the  gospel.  It  was  known  as  the  sheep  fund.  Tlie  flock 
began  with  48  sheep  contributed  by  several  persons.*  In 
1817,  it  had  increased  to  324.  In  1820,  the  proceeds  were 
invested  in  landed  security,  and  six  years  later  amounted  to 
about  $300.  These  funds  were  used  in  building  the  first 
session  house  whicii  stood  on  Centre  street  where  now  stands 
the  house  of  Dr.  W.  E.  Lauderdale,  Jr. 

The  Geneseo  Gospel  Society  received  from  Mr,  James 
Wadsworth,  April  13,  1816,  a  deed  of  100  acres  of  land. 
This  gift  testified  his  practical  interest  in  religious  and 
educational  matters  and  redeemed  a  promise  that  he,  with 
other  land  proprietors,  had  made  to  make  such  grant  to  the 
first  regularly  incorporated  religious  society  that  should  be 
organized  within  the  township.  From  the  first  he  and  his 
brother  Gen.  William  Wadsworth  greatly  aided  this  church 
in  Geneseo.  He  was  accustomed  to  give  $100  a  year  for 
the  support  of  the  minister. 

In  1816,  the  subject  of  erecting  a  meeting  house  was 
agitated.  In  December,  an  association  was  formed  com- 
posed of  the  Messrs.  Wadsworth  and  fifty  others.  These 
subscribed  353  shares  at  $10  each,  Mr.  James  Wadsworth 
taking  120  shares  and  his  brother,  besides  superintending 
personally  the  work,  presenting  a  good  bell.  The  house 
was  a  plain  structure  45  by  55  feet,  built  of  the  best  timber 
and  furnished  with  50  pews.  Its  entire  cost  was  $6,000. 
It  was  raised  in  June,  1817,  and  completed  in  December  of 
the  same  year.  The  first  day  of  January,  1818,  the  house 
was  dedicated^  This  was  an  event  of  great  interest.  The 
sermon  was  preached  by  Rev.  Daniel  C.  Axtell  of  Geneva. 


176  HISTORY    OF    ROCHESTER    PRESBYTERY. 

The  Sunday  following,  the  first  elders  elected  received 
ordination.  This  building,  long  known  as  the  "  White 
Church,"  stood  opposite  the  public  square  near  the  south 
end  of  Main  street.  It  was  enlarged  one  third  in  1854,  and 
again  greatly  improved  within  and  without  in  1870.  For 
two  generations  it  was  used  as  a  church,  the  last  service 
being  held  within  its  walls,  December  4,  1881.  In  1884,  it 
was  taken  down  by  Mr.  J.  D.  Lewis  and  its  site  occupied 
by  the  residence  of  Mr.  William  A.  Stevens. 

On  the  12th  of  July,  1817,  Rev.  Abraham  Foreman 
(Union  College,  1815)  was  installed  as  the  first  pastor  of  the 
church.  The  exercises  took  place  in  the  unfinished  house, 
which  was  enclosed  and  fitted  for  the  occasion.  Here  also 
at  the  same  time  Loring  D.  Dewey,  A.  M.,  was  ordained  an 
evangelist.  Rev.  Ebenezer  Fitch,  D.D.,  then  pastor  at  West 
Bloomfield,  and  formerly  for  22  years  the  first  president  of 
Williams  College,  preached  the  sermon.  Until  this  time  the 
church  had  had  no  settled  pastor.  It  had  enjoyed,  however, 
these  six  years,  the  minstrations  of  several  transient  ministers, 
among  whom  were  Daniel  Oliver,  John  Lindley,  Aaron  C. 
Collins,  Robert  Hubbard,  Stephen  Wheelock,  Silas  Pratt, 
Bartholomew  Mills  and  Daniel  S.  Butrick. 

Rev.  Mr  Foreman  came  in  October,  1816,  as  tutor  in  the 
family  of  Mr.  Wadsworth,  and  was  employed  by  the  church 
to  preach  from  that  date.  The  following  spring  he  was 
called  to  be  pastor  on  a  salary  of  $500,  and  remained  as 
such  until  November  17,  1819,  when  at  his  own  request  he 
was  dismissed.  He  continued  to  reside  in  Geneseo,  till  his 
death,  August  20,  1854.  With  marked  personal  eccentrici- 
ties, Mr.  Foreman  was  a  good  sermomzer  and  a  man  of 
rare  scholarship  and  kindness  of  heart. 

About  1820,  the  Sunday  school  was  organized.  The  first 
teachers  were  Jacob  B.  Hall,  Orlando  Hastings,  Mr.  Fair- 
child,  Miss  Harriet  Wadsworth  and  Miss  Mary  Law- 
rence.    Orlando  Hastings    was    the    first   Superintendent, 


HISTORY    OF    ROCHESTER    PRESHYTERV.  177 

After  a  few  years  he  was  followed  by  Chauncey  Parsons, 
who  continued  to  hold  tlie  office  for  over  thirty  years.  Four 
or  five  years  earlier,  however,  in  1816,  Rev.  Daniel  S. 
Butrick  held  the  first  Sunday  school  in  town,  the  sessions 
being  on  Saturday  afternoon  in  the  scl»ool  house  on  Temple 
Hill,  and  the  exercises  mostly  recitations  of  the  catechism. 

Rev.  Norris  Bull  (D.  D.,  1846,  Union  ;  grad.  Yale,  1813), 
of  the  Presbytery  of  Troy,  came  to  Western  New  York  as 
a  missionary  in  1818,  and  was  called  to  the  pastorate  April 
22,  1822.  He  was  ordained  and  installed  'June  19  of  the 
same  year.  For  over  ten  years  he  was  pastor  until  July  3, 
1832,  when  he  was  dismissed  to  the  Presbytery  of  Genesee 
and  took  charge  of  the  church  in  AYyoniing.  From  1837 
to  1847,  he  was  pastor  of  the  church  in  Clarkson.  In  both 
these  places  he  was  also  principal  of  the  town  Academy  a 
part  of  the  time.  Early  in  1847,  he  became  pastor  at 
Lewiston,  where  lie  died,  quite  suddenly  but  triumphantly, 
December  8,  1847. 

It  was  early  in  his  pastorate,  in  1824,  that  the  Wednesday 
evening  meeting  of  prayer  was  first  established.  It  was  at 
the  suggestion  of  a  missionary,  who  with  Dr.  Bull  met  a 
few  of  the  male  members  at  the  house  of  Dr.  Cyrus  Wells. 
These  were  John  Colt,  Jacob  B.  Hall,  Erastus  Parsons 
and  Wilbur  Turner.  They  entered  into  a  covenant  to 
sustain  the  meeting  and  to  spend  some  time  every  day  in 
prayer  for  a  revival.  It  was  held  from  house  to  house. 
Soon  the  female  members  of  the  church  sought  admission. 
Then  the  impenitent  became  interested,  the  doors  were 
thrown  open  and  the  great  awakening  of  1824-5  followed. 
April  3,  1825,  was  a  memorable  communion  Sabbath. 
Ninety-one  persons,  embracing  many  of  the  leading  men  and 
women  of  the  village,  entered  into  covenant  with  the 
church.  In  1824,  the  number  of  members  was  92 ;  in  1825, 
191 ;  and  in  1831,  after  the  great  revival  of  1830,  206. 

"The  Livingston  Co.  High  School,''  afterward  known  as 


178  HISTORY    OF    ROCHESTER    PRESBYTERY. 

Geneseo  Academy,  was  established  and  its  substantial  l>rick 
buildings  erected  on  Temple  Hill  in  1826.  It  was  incor- 
porated March  10,  1827.  In  this  enterprise  Mr.  James 
Wadsworth  took  the  liveliest  interest.  This  school  came  to 
be  under  the  care  of  the  Synod  of  Buffalo  in  1849,  and  con- 
tinued a  recognized  power  of  good,  educational  and  religious, 
for  nearly  half  a  century.  Its  first  principal  was  C.  C. 
Felton,  LL.  D.,  afterward  president  of  Harvard  University, 
and  its  last,  Henry  D.  Gregory,  Ph.  D.,  now  of  Girard  Col- 
lege, Philadelphia.  It  ceased  to  exist  in  1875,  four  years 
after  the  opening  of  the  State  ]S"ormal  School. 

The  attempt  of  Unitarianism,  though  abortive,  to  gain  a 
footing  in  Western  New  York  in  connection  with  tlie 
establishment  of  the  Academy,  was  a  sore  trial  to  the  church. 
The  unusual  mode  of  building  by  an  association  instead  of 
trustees,  brought  on  serious  financial  complications.  During 
the  same  time  church  discipline  was  also  extensively  under- 
taken. Yet  by  the  signal  blessing  of  God  and  under  the 
guidance  of  Dr.  Bull,  a  man  of  consummate  ability,  cour- 
age and  devotion  to  truth,  the  period  of  his  ministry  was 
one  of  unW'Onted  spiritual  grow-th. 

In  September,  1833,  Rev.  John  Chase  Lord  (D.  D.,  1841, 
Hamilton  ;  grad.  Hamilton,  1825)  began  his  labors,  and  was 
ordained  and  installed  July  31,  1834,  the  sermon  by  Rev. 
James  Richards,  D.  D.,  and  the  charges  to  pastor  and  people 
by  Rev.  Norris  Bull,  D.  D  ,  and  Rev.  John  Barnard,  D.  D., 
respectively.  In  October.  1835,  he  was  called  to  the  Central 
Presbyterian  church,  Buffalo,  and  was  dismissed  the  28th  of 
the  same  month.  He  died  at  Buffalo,  January  21,  1877. 
His  Geneseo  pastorate  though  brief  was  greatly  blessed.  A 
powerful  revival  resulting  in  over  100  additions  signalized 
his  ministry  in  1833-4.     The  church  now  numbered  258. 

Rev.  John  Nitchie  Lewis,  A.  M.  (grad.  Yale,  1828)  fol- 
lowed Dr.  Lord  in  the  pastorate,  October,  3,  1838.  The 
church    was    supplied   statedly   in    the   interim   by    Rev. 


HISTORY    OF    ROCHESTER    PRESBYTERY.  179 

Theodore  Spencer,  Rev.  Elain  H.  Walker  and  Rev.  Henry 
Snyder  successively.  Rev.  Mr.  Lewis'  ministry  continued  to 
April  5,  1841,  Loss  of  voice  compelled  release  from  pulpit 
labor  for  2^  years.  His  subsequent  charges  were  at  New- 
burgh,  Bethlehem,  Monticello  and  New  York  city.  While 
assistant  pastor  of  the  Brick  church  his  death  occurred  very 
suddenly,  October  5,  1S61. 

In  1843,  November  8th,  Rev.  Benjamin  B.  Stockton 
succeeded  to  the  pastorate  which  continued  five  years.  He 
was  dismissed  September  26,  1848,  was  pastor  at  Phelps  sev- 
eral years,  entered  later  the  United  States  Navy  as  chaplain 
and  died  at  Brooklyn,  June  10,  1861.  October  9,  1842, 
Hugh  McBride  and  Cornelius  Shepard,  Jr.,  were  ordained 
elders  and  Elihu  N.  Faxon,  deacon;  and  in  1845,  October 
21,  Felix  Tracy  and  Ephraim  Cone  were  ordained  elders 
and  Chauncey  Watson,  deacon. 

The  trustees  of  the  Geneseo  Gosjjel  Society,  elected  from 
1819  to  1848  were  as  follows  :  1820,  Philo  C.  Fuller  ;  1822, 
Samuel  F.  Butler  and  Oliver  Skinner  ;  1823,  Ogden  M. 
Willey;1825,  Owen  P.  Olmsted;  1827,  William  ^Finley ; 
1828,  Alfred  Birge ;  1830,  John  Colt  and  Freeman  Hast- 
ings; 1831,  Frederick  W^.  Butler;  1832,  Cyrus  Wells  and 
Russell  Austin  ;  1833,  Jacob  B.  Hall;  1834,  Allen  Ayrault ; 
1835,  Edward  P.  Metcalf  and  Ebenezer  Walker;  1836, 
Cornelius  Shepard  ;  1838,  William  H.  Stanley  ;  1841, 
William  M.  Bond;  1842,  Walter  E.  Lauderdale,  M.  D.; 
1844,  Ephraim  Cone  and  1848,  Samuel  Finley, 

Rev.  Ferdinand  De Wilton  Ward  (D.  D.,  1861,  Washing- 
ton;  grad.  Union,  1831)  was  invited  to  Geneseo  in  1848, 
having  just  returned  from  a  ten  years'  residence  as  mis- 
sionary in  Southern  India.  He  was  installed  September 
26, 1850,  Rev.  John  Barnard,  D.  D.,  preaching  the  sermon. 
Rev.  Henry  Kendall,  D,  D.,  giving  the  charge  to  the  pas- 
tor and  Rev.  C.  H.  A.  Buckley  that  to  the  people.  His 
ministry  was  continuous  from  November  5,  1848,  to  the 


180  HISTORY    OF    ROCHESTER     PRESBYTERY. 

division  of  the  church,  October  31,  1858.  During  this 
period  243  were  added  to  the  church  roll,  which  now  num- 
bered 234  members.  Ephraim  Cone  and  Mortimer  Buell 
were  ordained  deacons,  Sunday,  September  14,  1851.  The 
ehiircli  edifice  was  greatly  enlarged  in  1854,  a  clock  was 
placed  in  the  tower,  a  Plook  organ  was  introduced  sup- 
planting the  bass  viol,  and  a  new  session  house,  now 
known  as  the  Ward  Annex,  was  l)uilt  on  Second  street. 
Scott  Lord  was  elected  to  the  board  of  trustees  in  1853, 
James  S.  Orton  and  Charles  Colt,  Jr.,  in  1858  and  Sidney 
Ward  in  1859.  Chauncey  Parsons  was  chorister  for  many 
years  until  1854,  then  William  Cushing  until  his  removal 
from  Geneseo  two  years  later  and  Charles  O.  Beach  from 
1856  to  1875.  The  organists  were  Benjamin  Cushing 
(1854-5),  Catharine  M.  Austin  (1856-1867),  James  A.  AVest, 
M.  D.  (1867-1876),  Kate  McArthur  (1876-1878)  and 
Myron  A.  Rector  from  1878. 

The  church  called  Rev,  George  Palmer  Folsom  (D.  D., 
1881,  Williams  ;  grad.  Williams,  1847)  from  Attica,  Decem- 
ber 7,  1858.  The  installation  occurred  Wednesday,  Feb- 
ruary 2, 1859,  the  sermon  being  preached  by  Rev.  Grosvenor 
W,  Heacock,  D.  D  ,  of  Buffalo.  He  remained  pastor  of  the 
church  until  September  20,  1868,  when  at  his  own  request 
he  was  dismissed.  During  this  pastorate  the  system  of 
rotar}'  eldership  gave  place,  by  vote  of  the  church  October 
12,  1865,  to  that  of  permanent  eldership.  For  twenty  years 
there  had  been  no  election  of  elders.  The  board  at  this  date 
consisted  of  Jacob  B.  Hall,  Charles  Colt,  Russell  Austin, 
Frederick  W.  Butler  and  Ephraim  Cone.  Three  additional 
members  were  chosen,  Elijah  N.  Bacon,  James  S.  Orton 
and  William  Walker,  who  were  ordained  October  22.  There 
were  received  to  church  membership  138.  After  the  division 
there  were  130  members.  The  present  number  of  members 
was  166.  A  comfortable  manse  on  Main  street,  and  a  new 
church  bell  which  is  still   in   use,  were  purchased  in  1866, 


HISTORY    OF    ROCHESTER    PRESBYTERY.  181 

July  7,  1867,  William  A.  Brodie  and  Elisha  W.  Hudimtt 
were  ordained  elders  and  John  Davidson,  deacon.  The 
writer  is  greatly  indebted  to  Dr.  Folsom,  as  also  to  Dr. 
Ward,  for  material  for  this  historical  sketch.  After  leaving 
Geneseo,  Dr.  Folsom  was  for  several  years  pastor  at  Baraboo, 
Wisconsin,  and  at  Iowa  City,  Iowa.  His  present  pastorate 
since  1887  is  at  Carroll,  Iowa. 

Rev.  Isaac  JS'ewton  Sprague,  D.  D.  (1865,  Middlebury  ; 
grad.  Middlebury,  1822)  was  called  November  16,  1868, 
entered  on  his  work  January  17,  1869,  and  was  installed 
February  2,  following.  Rev,  James  B.  Shaw,  D,  D.,  of 
Rochester,  preached  the  sermon.  During  his  ministry  of  a 
little  more  than  eight  years,  210  were  added  to  the  roll. 
This  numbered  at  the  close  of  his  ministry  232.  Revival 
blessing  was  enjoyed  in  1870-71  ;  union  church  services 
were  promoted  ;  systematic  beneficence  developed  and  con- 
tributions largely  increased.  The  church  name  was  changed 
to  the  First  Presbyterian  Church  of  Geneseo  Village,  by 
vote,  December  22,  1869,  and  the  building  was  renovated 
in  the  summer  of  1870  at  an  expense  of  $2,000.  June  18, 
1871,  James  J.  Cone,  Adoniram  J.  Abbott  and  John  R. 
Strang  were  ordained  elders.  March  20th  of  the  same  year 
James  S,  Orton  was  chosen  church  treasurer.  Services 
commemorative  of  the  completion  of  fifty  years  of  continu- 
ous labor  in  the  ministry  by  the  pastor  were  held  Sunday, 
September  14,  1873.  Dr.  Sprague  was  dismissed  to  the 
Presbytery  of  Detroit,  April  10;  1877.  For  six  years  he 
was  pastor  at  Wyandotte,  Mich.  In  1886,  he  M^ent  to 
Poultney,  Vermont,  where  honorably  retired  he  makes  his 
home,  now  at  the  ripe  age  of  almost  89  years. 

Charles  O.  Beach  was  elected  trustee  in  1862.  Elijah  N. 
Bacon  and  Charles  F.  Doty,  in  1S65 ;  William  AValker,  in 
1866  ;  James  J.  Cone,  in  1870  ;  Nelson  Janes,  in  1871  ; 
Theodore  F.  Olmsted,  in  1876  and  Orrin  F.  Sherwood,  in 
1878. 


182  HISTORY    OF    ROCHESTER    PRESBYTKRV. 

April  10,  1877,  Rev.  Josiali  Edwards  Kittredge  (D.  D.. 
1884,  Univ.  of  N.  Y.;  grad.  Yale,  1860)  was  received  to 
Rochester  Presbytery,  and  on  the  18th  inst.,  was  installed 
pastor  of  this  church.  Rev.  J.  Lovejoy  Robertson  preaching 
the  sermon.  In  the  three  following  years  63  were  added 
to  the  roll,  which  then  numbered  261,  the  number  of  Sunday 
school  meml)ers  rose  to  319  and  the  spirit  of  Christian  love 
prevailed.  On  the  30th  of  March,  1880,  the  union  of  the 
two  Presbyterian  churches  was  happily  consummated  and 
this  church  was  merged  in  the  Prei^hyterian  Church  of 
Geneseo  Village. 

II.     Central  Presbyterian  Church. 

The  Presbytery  of  Genesee  River,  in  response  to  a  peti- 
tion signed  by  113  petitioners,  organized  this  church  by 
commissioners  previously  appointed,  in  the  Methodist 
church,  Thursday,  October  21,  1858,  The  commissioners 
were  Rev.  Thomas  Aitken,  of  Sparta,  chairman,  Rev. 
William  E.  Jones,  of  Caledonia,  Rev.  James  M.  Harlow, 
of  Moscow,  and  elders  Wm.  W.  McNair,  of  Sparta,  Zeph- 
aniah  Lewis,  of  Scottsville,  and  Edward  B.  Miller,  of  War- 
saw, who  was  appointed  clerk.  A  sermon  was  preached  by 
Rev.  W.  E.  Jones,  and  devotional  services  conducted  by 
Rev.  Thomas  Aitken,  W.  E.  Jones  and  D.  D.  McColl,  of 
Scottsville,  after  which,  the  church  was  duly  constituted 
with  82  members.  Oliver  Skinner,  Cornelius  Shepard, 
Jr.,  Gulielmus  Wing,  Andrew  W.  Butterway,  clerk.  Scott 
Lord  and  George  Fridd  were  elected  elders,  and  Edward 
Thomas  and  Francis  C,  Sage,  deacons. 

The  ordination  of  Andrew  W.  Butterway  and  Scott 
Lord  as  elders,  and  of  Edward  Thomas  and  Francis  C. 
Sage,  as  deacons,  followed  with  their  installation,  together 
with  that  of  Oliver  Skinner,  Cornelius  Shepard,  Jr.,  and 
Gulielmus  Wing,  already  ordained.  The  prayer  of  installa- 
tion was  offered  by  Rev.  W.  D,  McKinley,  of  Tuscarora. 


IITSTORV    OF    ROCHESTER    PRESHYTERY.  1  S^l 

The  first  public  service  was  held  Sunday,  November  Ttli, 
in  Concert  Hall,  Rev.  Thomas  Aitken  preaching  the  ser- 
mon. A  Sabbath  school  was  organized,  and  Rev.  Ferdinand 
De  W.  Ward,  (D.  D.,  1861,  Washington  ;  graduate,  Union, 
1831,)  was  unanimously  elected  pastor  of  the  church.  The 
first  communion  service  was  observed  at  the  same  place, 
where,  for  fourteen  months,  the  congregation  worshipped, 
Sunday,  January  2nd,  1859,  the  pastor  elect  presiding. 
The  church  now  numbered  109  members. 

The  installation  of  Dr.  Ward  took  place  February  16, 
1859;  Rev.  Joseph  Kimball,  of  Brockport,  preached,  Rev. 
Joseph  E.  Nassau,  D.  D.,  of  Warsaw,  gave  the  charge  to 
the  pastor,  and  Rev.  J.  Carroll,  of  Groveland,  that  to  the 
people.  Treorge  Fridd  was  installed  elder  on  the  same 
occasion.  In  the  afternoon  Rev.  Cliarles  Ray  was  inaugu- 
rated principal  of  Geneseo  Academy,  with  addresses  by 
Rev.  Albert  G.  Hall,  D.  D.,  of  Rochester,  Rev.  Mr.  Ray 
and  Hon.  Allen  Ayrault,  of  Geneseo. 

March  29,  1859,  the  ecclesiastical  society  yvas  incoi'po- 
rated  under  the  name  of  The  Central  Presbyterian  Church 
of  Geneseo,  with  Walter  E.  Lauderdale,  M.  D.,  Samuel 
Finley,  Wallace  R.  Walker,  Peter  Miller,  Chauncey  M. 
Dake,  M.  D.,  M.  Luther  Heath,  John  Crossett  and  James 
D.  Crank,  trustees.  Richard  Champ  was  added  to  the  board 
in  1864. 

July  18,  1859,  the  church  was  called  to  mourn  the  death 
of  Oliver  Skinner,  its  senior  elder.  Measures  were  taken 
promptly  to  secure  a  church  edifice.  Funds  were  sub- 
scribed at  a  parish  meeting  June  12,  1859,  and  the  corner 
stone  was  laid  July  6,  with  appropriate  exercises,  the  pastor 
delivering  the  address.  The  building  was  after  the  plans  of 
Messrs.  Upjohn  &  Son,  of  New  York,  and  was  a  fine 
structure  of  brick  (40x85  feet),  situated  at  the  corner  of  Sec- 
ond and  Centre  streets,  and  provided  with  tower  and  bell. 
It  was  dedicated  Jan.  3,  1860,  the  dedicatory  sermon  by 


184  HISTORY    OF    ROCHESTER    PRESBYTERY. 

Rev.  Nicholas  Murray,  D.  D.,  of  Elizabeth,  N.  J.  The 
church  now  numbered  170  members. 

The  pastorate  of  Rev.  Dr.  Ward  co!itinued  until  Novem- 
ber, 1861.  In  1862  he  took  the  chaplaincy  of  the  104th 
New  York  Volunteers  in  the  field.  During  the  five  fol- 
lowing years  the  church  was  statedly  supplied  by  Rev. 
Henry  Neill,  D.  D.,  of  Detroit.  He  was  regarded  as  a  man 
of  marked  pulpit  ability  and  decided  social  qualities.  He 
prosecuted  his  labors  with  the  church  until  April,  1866, 
when  he  entered  upon  the  work  of  the  Board  of  Aid  for 
Presbyterian  Churches  at  the  South.  From  1869  to  1871 
he  was  pastor  of  the  Second  Church  at  New  Brunswick, 
N.  J.  His  death  occurred  at  Philadelphia,  Pa.,  April  21, 
1879,  at  the  age  of  63. 

Rev.  Dr.  Ward  was  at  once  recalled  and  was  re-installed 
December  4,  1866,  Rev.  Malcolm  N.  McLaren,  D.  D., 
preaching  the  sermon,  and  Rev.  Thomas  Aitken  and  Rev. 
Joseph  E.  Nassau,  D.  D  ,  delivering  the  charges  to  pastor 
and  people.  On  August  5,  1866,  Walter  E.  Lauderdale, 
M.  D  ,  and  Samuel  Finley  were  ordained  elders,  and  Rich- 
ard Champ,  deacon. 

A  union  service  Avas  held  in  the  church,  January  20, 
1867,  when,  on  invitation  of  the  session.  Rev.  Mr.  Folsom, 
of  the  Second  Church,  preached.  The  church  received  the 
special  blessing  of  God  in  revival  in  the  winter  of  1870-7L 
April  2,  1871,  was  a  Sabbath  made  memoi-able  by  the 
admission  to  the  communion  for  the  first  time  of  51  per- 
sons ;  71  were  received  during  the  year.  The  church  roll 
increased  to  304. 

December  15,  1872,  occurred  the  installation  of  Henry 
D.  Gregory,  Ph.  D.,  and  Edward  E.  Sill,  as  elders,  and  of 
Nelson  J.  Griswold  and  John  LaMarsh,  as  deacons. 

The  pastor  again  resigned  his  charge,  to  take  effect  from 
November  9,  1873,  in  order  to  act  as  district  superintend- 
ent of  the  American  Bible  Society  for  Western  New  York. 


HISTORY    OF    ROCHESTER    PRESBYTERY.  185 

Dr.  Ward  supplied  statedly  a  number  of  neighboring 
churches  for  several  years,  when  failing  health  in  the  spring 
of  1889  compelled  release  for  a  while.  Mrs.  Ward,  his 
devoted  companion  for  more  than  half  a  century,  died, 
greatly  mourned  by  all,  in  October,  1886.  Though  now 
retired  from  responsible  service,  Dr.  Ward  is  still  active 
with  voice  and  pen,  and  honored  and  beloved,  resides  in 
Geneseo,  which  for  over  forty  years  has  been  his  chosen 
home. 

During  this  period  the  Woman's  Missionary  and  Aid 
Society,  auxiliary  to  the  Woman's  Foreign  Missionary 
Society  of  Philadelphia,  was  organized,  mainly  through  the 
efforts  of  Mrs.  II.  D.  Gregory,  and  also  the  Butler  Band, 
named  for  Kev.  John  Butler,  once  a  member  of  the  church, 
and  from  1860  to  1885  a  missionary  in  China.  He  died  at 
Tvingpo,  Oct.  11,  1885,  at  the  age  of  48. 

A  call  was  extended  July  3,  1874,  to  Kev.  Charles  Stod- 
dard Durfee,  A.  M.  (graduate  Williams,  1864,)  of  the  Pres- 
bytery of  Troy.  His  installation  took  place  September  10, 
1874.  The  sermon  was  preached  by  Eev.  Tenuis  S.  Ham- 
lin, D.  D.,  of  Troy  ;  Kev.  William  II.  Millham,  of  Livonia, 
gave  the  charge  to  the  pastor  ;  Kev.  F.  DeW.  Ward,  D.  D., 
the  charge  to  the  people,  and  Rev.  I.  N.  Sprague,  D.  D., 
offered  the  installing  prayer. 

October  4,  1874,  William  J.  Milne,  Ph.  D.,  principal  of 
the  State  Normal  School,  was  ordained  elder,  and  Septem- 
ber 19,  1875,  Nelson  J.  Griswold  and  Thomas  Elliott  to 
the  same  office.  A  much  needed  organ  was  procured  in 
1874.  The  church  was  called  to  suffer  the  loss  by  death  of 
elder  Samuel  Finley,  February  9,  1875,  and  again,  January 
12,  1879,  of  elder  Cornelius  Shepard  at  the  age  of  84. 

The  trustees  of  the  church  were  John  Crossett,  Norman 
W.  Kose,  Andrew  J.  Willard,  James  W.  Clement,  Nelson 
J.  Griswold,  Charles  Fridd,  Walter  E.  Lauderdale,  M.  D., 
and  Samuel  Finley.     During  the  ministry  of  Mr.  Durfee 


186  HISTORY    OF    ROCHESTER    PRESBYTERY. 

the  church  continued  to  sjrow  in  its  devotion  to  Christian 
missions,  to  the  cause  of  temperance  and  all  matters  of  true 
social  reform. 

Rev.  Mr.  Durfee  remained  the  faithful  and  beloved  pas- 
tor for  nearly  six  years  until  the  union  of  the  two  churches. 
He  devoted  himself  to  this  union  with  a  most  rare  unself- 
ishness, so  shining  a  characteristic  of  the  man.  Without 
this  personal  effort  of  his,  no  union  was  then  possible,  but 
the  large  interests  of  Christ's  cause  moved  him  to  great 
singleness  of  heart  to  promote  it.  He  was  conscientious 
always  and  fearless,  a  man  of  studious  habits,  a  preacher 
clear  and  convincing,  and  a  warm  hearted,  genial  friend. 
He  was  three  years  at  Liverpool  w^hen,  in  1884,  he  became 
pastor  at  East  Bloomlield.  Here  in  1887,  the  24th  of 
December,  he  died  in  triumph.  His  funeral  service  was 
attended  by  a  large  delegation  from  the  church  that  he  had 
helped  so  signally  to  make  one. 

The  congregations  of  the  two  churches  met  simultan- 
eously, each  in  its  own  place  of  M^orship,  Monday  afternoon, 
January  19,  1880,  at  one  o'clock,  and  voted  with  great 
unanimity  for  the  union  of  the  churches.  Special  church 
meetings  were  also  held  Wednesday,  January  28,  at  which 
identical  resolutions  requesting  Presbytery  to  consunmiate 
this  union  were  adopted,  and  elder  ]S'elson  J.  Griswold  of 
the  Central  Church,  and  elder  John  R.  Strang  of  the  First 
Church,  were  appointed  to  present  the  petition  to  that 
body.  The  union  was  happily  effected  March  30,  1880, 
and  this  church  was  merged  in  the  Preshyterian  Cimrch  of 
Geneseo  Village. 

III.     Presbyterian  Church  of  Geneseo  Tillage. 

From  the  record  book  of  the  church  the  following  pre- 
liminary, historical  note  is  taken  : 

On  the  30th  day  of  March,  A.  D.  1880,  the  Presbytery 


PRESBYTERIAN    CHURCH    OF    GENESEO    VILLAGE. 


HISTORY    OF    ROCHESTER     PRESBYTERY.  187 

of  Rochester,  at  a  special  meeting  held  at  the  Central 
Presbyterian  Church  in  Geneseo,  called  for  the  purpose  of 
considering  the  union  of  the  two  Presbyterian  Churches  there 
located,  took  action  affirmatively  on  the  following  minute 
which   had   been   duly   adopted   by  both   these  churches: 

"  Resolved,  that  the  Presbytery  of  Rochester  be  requested 
to  unite  and  consolidate  the  two  Presbyterian  Churches  now 
existing  in  the  village  of  Geneseo,  and  known  as  the  First 
Presbyterian  Church  of  the  Village  of  Geneseo,  and  the 
Centi-al  Presbyterian  Church  of  Geneseo,  so  that  the  same 
shall  hereafter  constitute  one  church,  to  be  known  as  The 
Presbyterian  Church  of  Geneseo  Tillage  upon  the  following 
terms  and  conditions,  viz  : 

"  First.  Rev  Mr.  Durfee  desiring  to  withdraw  in  case  a 
union  can  be  eifected,  the  Rev.  Josiah  E.  Kittredge  to  be 
pastor  of  said  united  church. 

''Second.  The  elders  of  each  of  such  churches  at  the 
time  of  such  union  to  retain  their  offices  as  such  in  the 
united  church. 

"  Third.  The  deacons  in  office  in  each  of  such  churches  to 
retain  their  offices  in  the  united  church." 

The  church  thus  constituted  numbered  472  members. 
Its  officers  were  as  follows  :  Pastor,  Rev.  Josiah  E.  Kittredge 
(D.  D.  1884,  Univ.  of  New  York;  graduate,  Yale,  1860); 
elders,  Adoniram  J.  Abbott,  Frederick  W.  Butler,  Andrew 
W.  Butterway,  William  A.  Brodie,  clerk,  Thomas  Elliot, 
George  Fridd,  Nelson  J.  Griswold,  Elisha  W.  Hudnutt,  Wal- 
ter E.  Lauderdale,  M.  D  ,  William  J.  Milne,  LL.  D.,  James 
S.  Orton,  treasurer,  John  R,  Strang ;  deacons,  John  Davidson, 
Nelson  J.  Griswold,  John  La  Marsh.  The  trustees  were 
those  of  the  incorporated  Geneseo  Gospel  Society  up  to 
September  6,  when  a  new  board  was  elected,  consisting  of 
James  S.  Orton,  chairman  and  treasurer,  Nelson  J.  Gris- 
wold, Nelson  Janes,  clerk,  William  J.  Milne,  LL.  D.,  Theo- 
dore F.  Olmsted  and  John  R.  Strang.  The  Sunday  school 
superintendents  were  John  R.  Strang,  William  A.  Brodie 
and  William  J.  Milne. 


188  inSTORV    OF    KOCHESTER     PKESRYTKRY. 

The  first  service  of  the  united  church  wa.s  hekl  witli  the 
celebration  of  the  Lord's  Supper  the  Sunday  after  the  union, 
April  4th,  1880,  in  the  "  White  Church."  Here  for  a  year 
and  nine  months  the  church  worshipped.  Arrangements 
were  at  once  set  in  motion  for  the  erection  of  a  new  and 
suitable  edifice  in  connection  with  the  Brick  Church  at  the 
corner  of  Second  and  Centre  streets.  Subscriptions  were 
secured  and  plans  matured  so  that  on  the  14th  of  Septem- 
ber ground  was  broken,  and  tlie  corner  stone  was  laid  the 
8th  of  November,  with  appropriate  services.  Rev.  Dr. 
Ward  read  the  Scriptures,  Rev.  Mr.  Durfee  offered  prayer, 
the  pastor  delivering  the  address. 

December  8th,  1881,  occurred  the  dedication  of  the 
house.  Rev.  Henry  Darling,  D.  D.,  LL.  D.,  president  of 
Hamilton  College,  preached  the  dedicatory  sermon  at  the 
service  in  the  afternoon.  A  social  service  of  praise  and 
prayer  followed  in  the  evening.  Rev.  Dr.  James  B.  Sliaw, 
of  Rochester,  presiding,  and  addresses  were  made  by  Rev. 
Dr.  Ward  and  Rev.  Dr.  Folsom,  former  pastors,  Rev.  Dr. 
J.  R.  Page,  Rev.  Dr.  Levi  Parsons  and  others. 

The  new  edifice  was  of  brick  with  trimmings  of  Ohio 
sand  stone,  slate  roof  and  stained  glass  windows,  built  in 
Roman  gothic  style  with  tower  after  architectural  plans  of 
Lawrence  B.  Yalk,  of  New  York.  It  was  55  x  95  feet,  and 
was  so  united  with  the  former  church  building  as  to  make 
one  harmonious  structure  95  x  98  feet,  and  to  secure  com- 
plete provision  for  the  Sunday  School  and  all  the  social 
needs  of  the  church.  The  main  audience  room  was  fur- 
nished with  127  pews,  arranged  in  circular  form,  with  seat- 
ing capacity  for  650  persons,  floor  sloping  towards  the  pul- 
pit, and  an  excellent  Steere  &  Turner  organ  valued  at 
$4,000.  The  cost  of  the  new  building  including  organ  was 
$26,000,  the  value  of  the  entire  structure  with  site,  about 
$40,000. 

December  4th,  1881,  the  church  worshipped  for  the  last 


HTSTOKY    OF    liOCHKSTRR     I'KESBYTERV.  189 

time  in  the  old  White  Church,  and  tlie  following  Sunday, 
December  11th,  gathered  in  the  new  church  home  a  con- 
gregation that  overfilled  the  audience  room. 

In  the  winter  of  1883-1:,  the  church  rejoiced  in  a  Pente- 
costal blessing.  Eev.  Edgar  E.  Davidson  was  with  the  pas- 
tor and  labored  assiduously.  As  a  result  of  this  outpouring 
of  God's  spirit  more  than  200  united  with  the  church  ;  167 
persons  were  received  into  membership  on  confession  of 
faith,  Sunday,  April  6,  1884,  and  80  adults  were  baptized  ; 
76  were  received  to  the  church  in  1888,  47  on  confession  of 
faith.  The  members  at  this  date,  October,  1889,  number 
630,  and  of  the  Sunday  school  486.  The  average  beneficence 
per  year  for  the  nine  years  since  union,  has  been  $2,670, 
and  the  average  expenses  for  the  same  time,  including  the 
cost  of  its  new  edifice,  nearly  $7,000, 

In  September,  1887,  a  new  and  delightful  manse  on 
Centre  street  was  purchased  at  an  expense  of  $6,000. 

The  present  officers  of  the  church  are  the  same  as  in 
1880,  except  that  the  senior  elder  at  the  reunion,  Frederick 
"W.  Butler,  died  May  10,  1884,  at  the  age  of  89.  John  R. 
Strang  is  church  treasurer.  The  trustees  are  John  R. 
Strang,  chairman,  Elisha  Bacon,  Myron  N.  Foster,  clerk. 
Nelson  J.  Griswold,  William  J.  Milne,  LL.  D.,  and  Theo- 
dore F.  Olmsted.  Charles  W.  Fielder  is  treasurer  of  the 
society.  The  Sunday  school  superintendents  are  Charles  W. 
Fielder,  Elisha  Bacon  and  James  R.  Coddington,  For  the 
entire  period  Jay  C.  Merrill  has  been  chorister  and  Myron 
H,  Rector,  organist. 

Connected  with  the  church  is  a  Young  People's  Society 
of  Christian  Endeavor,  organized,  January,  1887,  the  suc- 
cessor of  the  Young  People's  Association,  a  Ladies'  Mis- 
sionary Society  (1880),  a  Young  Ladies'  Missionary  Society 
(1880),  Mission  Band  (1880),  Society  of  Systematic  Givers 
(1885),  and  the  Young  Men's  Missionary  Association  (1889j. 


190  HISTORY    OF    ROCHESTER    PRESBYTERY. 


GROVELAND. 

This  chnreh  was  organized  in  1M)9  by  Rev.  John  Linds- 
ley,  and  consisted  of  sixteen  members  and  three  elders, 
whicli  are  believed  to  have  been  as  follows,  although  the 
original  records  prior  to  August  13,  1820,  were  lost :  John 
Jones  and  Margaret,  his  wife,  Hugh  Harrison  and  Phebe, 
his  wife,  Al)raham  Harrison  and  Mary,  his  wife,  John  Har- 
rison and  Mary,  his  wife,  Thomas  Begole  and  Mary, 
his  wife,  Samuel  Stillwell  and  Margaret,  his  wife, 
David  Robinson  and  Agnes,  his  wife,  Adam  Wisner 
and  Margaret,  his  wdfe ;  with  John  Jones,  Hugh  Harrison 
and  Abraham  Harrison,  as  elders.  The  following  is  the  list 
of  ministers  with  their  terms  of  service  as  nearly  as  can  be 
ascertained  : 

Rev.  John  Lindslay,  1809-1818. 

Rev.  Silas  Pratt.  Sept.,  1818-June,  1828. 

Rev.  Isaac  Crabb,  March  10,  1831-Aug.  28,  1833. 

Rev.  George  E.  Sill,  Nov.,  1833-Oct.,  1834. 

Rev.  George  Freeman,  Jan.,  1835-Nov.,  1837. 

Rev.  Grin  Brown,  Jan.,  1838-May,  1841. 

Rev.  Silas  Pratt,  May,  1841-May,  1843. 

Rev.  Lewis  Cheeseman,  Aug.,  1843- June,  1845. 

Rev.  Richard  Kay,  Nov.,  1845-Nov.,  1848. 

Rev.  J.  C.  Van  Lew,  Feb.,  1849-April,  18H0. 

Rev.  E.  Sturges,  Oct.,  1850-  1853. 

Rev   John  J.  Carroll,  June,  1854-Oct.,  1802. 

Rev.  Stuart  Mitchell,  April,  1863-July,  1S64. 

Rev.  Henry  L.  Doolittle,  Oct.,  1864-bct.,  1S6T. 

Rev.  Thomas  Dobbin,  May,  1868- Aug.,  1875. 

Rev.  David  Conway,  Sept.,  1876-July,  1877. 

Rev.  Christian  P.  Murray,  July,  1878-April,  1879. 

Rev.  A.  N.  Hardy,  July,  1879-July,  1880. 

Rev.  F.  Swartz  Crawford,  Oct.,  1881 -April,  1888. 

Rev.  Lucius  F.  Badger,  Sept.,  1888. 


HISTORY    OF    ROCHESTER    PRESBYTERY.  191 

Of  these  twenty  the  Rev.  Messrs.  Crabb,  Carroll,  Dub- 
bin, Crawford  and  Badger,  were  installed  as  pastors  ;  the 
last  still  retaining  that  relation.  In  addition  to  the  three 
ruling  elders  already  named,  the  list  is  as  follows : 

Hugh  McNair. 

Samnel  Cull)ertson,  Jan.,  1819-Aug.,  1827. 

Thomas  Ward,  Aug  ,  1820-  1884. 

John  Jones,  September,  1820- April,  183;5. 

Abraham  Harrison,  Sept,  1820-July,  1846. 

Michael  Johnson,  Jan.,  1824-June,  1835. 

William  Leaming,  Jan.,  1824-July,  1847. 

John  Yance,  Feb.,  1836-May  8,  1843. 

Samuel  C.  Culbertson,  Feb.,  1836-Jan.,  1858. 

J.  J.  Groesbeck,  Feb.,  1836-May,  1883. 

Daniel  Kelly,  Feb.,  1836- Aug.,  1861. 

Peter  Teitsworth,  June,  1842-Sept.,  1858. 

John  Kuder,  June,  1842-Oct.,  1883. 

J.  R.  Roseburgh,  Oct.,  1852-Feb.,  1864. 

John  Gray.  Oct.,  1852-June,  1864. 

John  Magee,  Oct.,  1852-Oct.,  1882. 

Samuel  Vance,  July,  1861-Jan.,  1879. 

Orimel  Bigelow,  July,  1861. 

Fort  Benway,  Aug.,  1877. 

David  Gray,  Nov.,  1885. 

John  P.  Teitsworth,  Nov.,  1885. 

The  only  deacons  ever  elected  by  this  church  were  Aaron 
T.  Henderschott  and  Peter  Ebenriter,  in  1852. 

This  church  was  taken  under  the  care  of  the  Presbytery 
of  Ontario,  January  20,  1819,  where  it  remained  until,  in 
April,  1838,  the  time  of  the  division  of  the  New  and  the 
Old  School,  the  session  decided  not  to  be  represented  in 
Presbytery. 

On  the  loth  of  March,  1842,  the  church  united  with  the 
Presbytery  of  Caledonia,  O.  S.,  though  not  without  a  vig- 
orous protest  from  the  minority,  avIio  organized  a  separate 
church  to  remain  with  the  Presbytery  of  Ontario,  which 


192  HISTORY    OF    ROCHESTER    PRESBYTERY. 

was  duly  recognized  by  the  same,  but  soon  ceased  to  exist. 
The  other  church  maintained  its  connection  with  the  Old 
School  assembly  up  to  the  time  of  reunion,  first  with  the 
Presbytery  of  Steuben,  which  was  formed  Oct.  19,  1842, 
and  subsequently  with  that  of  Genesee  River,  which  was 
formed  Sept.  27,'  1853. 

The  use  of  tokens  was  dispensed  with  on  the  20th  of 
April,  1821. 

In  1834  occurs  the  record  of  a  "  Sacramental  occasion 
which  lasted  five  days,  consisting  of  preaching  services  and 
prayer  meetings,  and  on  the  third  day  (Sunday)  the  Com- 
munion." A  similar  record  appears  again  under  date  of 
January,  1857. 

In  1842  the  session  took  action  on  temperance,  and  them- 
selves with  twenty  of  the  church  members  signed  a  total 
abstinence  pledge.  In  the  same  year  the  session  adopted 
vigorous  measures  for  promoting  the  missionary  spirit  by  a 
systematic  plan  of  giving. 

In  1825  the  church  reported  forty-five  members  ;  in  1827, 
sixty-four;  in  1837,  one  hundred  and  thirty-one;  in  1846, 
one  hundred  and  twenty-one  ;  in  1876,  one  hundred  and 
forty-three,  and  in  1888,  one  hundred  and  seventy-eight. 

Its  larger  accessions  have  been  :  in  1821,  thirteen  ;  1831, 
fifty -six  ;  1835,  twenty -three;  1864,  twenty-five;  1871,  twenty- 
four;  1883,  twenty-four;  1888,  eighteen. 

The  first  mention  of  the  Sunday  school  in  the  records  is 
under  date  of  June  16,  1838,  though  it  is  certain  that  the 
school  had  been  organized  quite  early. 

The  Ladies'  Missionary  Society  was  organized  May  15, 
1872  ;  the  Young  Ladies'  Aid  Society,  Aug.  26,  1882  ;  the 
Band  of  Willing  Workers,  1881,  and  the  Boys'  Mission 
Brigade,  1888. 

The  present  house  of  worship  was  erected  in  1829.  The 
builder  was  Henry  Vroman,  and  the  trustees  were  G.  N. 
Morrill,  Daniel  Kelly,  John  Harrison.  A.  Harrison,  Michael 
Johnson  and  George  Bennet. 


HISTORY    OF    ROCHESTER     PRESBYTERY.  1  OH 

The  present  trustees  are  George  S.  Ewart,  AVilliarn  G. 
AVilson  and  Charles  F.  Arner. 

In  1872,  the  building  was  thoroughly  repaired  and  many 
improvements  made,  at  an  expense  of  $4,000.  This  was 
done  during  tlie  ministry  of  Rev.  Thomas  Dobbin,  and  was 
largely  attributable  to  his  persevering  efforts. 

The  society  owns  a  commodious  parsonage  not  far  from 
the  church.  This  church  though  rural  in  its  location,  being 
about  four  miles  from  the  nearest  railroad  station,  and  com- 
posed almost  entirely  of  farmers,  has  increased  in  members 
and  apparently  so  in  pecuniary  ability,  furnishing  a  very 
happy  exception  to  other  churches  similarly  situated. 
Without  asking  for  missionary  aid  it  has  furnished  a  liberal 
support  for  its  pastors,  and  taken  rank  among  the  foremost 
of  the  churches,  in  proportion  to  its  numbers,  in  the 
amounts  contributed  for  missionary  purposes. 


HENRIETTA. 


In  1810,  Rev.  Solomon  Allen,  pastor  of  the  Pittsford 
Presbyterian  church,  preached  a  missionary  sermon,  on  a 
Sabbath,  to  his  congregation.  A  collection  was  taken, 
which  amounted  to  $10.  It  was  to  be  devoted  to  sending 
the  gospel  to  the  heathen.  There  being  no  convenient  way 
to  send  it  to  a  foreign  field,  the  pastor  was  requested  to 
preach  two  Sabbaths  to  the  destitute  people  of  West-town 
(Henrietta),  and  appropriate  the  $10  to  remunerate  himself . 
These  efforts  were  followed  by  others  in  1812,  at  which 
gatherings  deacon  Moses  Sperry  read  sermons  furnished  by 
his  former  pastor  in  Connecticut.  These  meetings  were 
supplemented  by  occasional  preaching  by  himself  dnd 
deacon  Ellis,  in  the  school  house  near  the  latter's  residence. 


104  HISTORY    OF    ROCHESTER    PRESBYTERY. 

Soon  a  strong  religious  interest  was  evoked  and  May  20, 
1816,  in  the  same  school  house,  the  Congregational  Church 
of  Henrietta  was  organized  with  20  members.  So  far  as 
known  the  following  are  the  persons  identified  with  the 
cliurch  at  that  early  date  : 

Deacons  Moses  Sperry  and  Ellis ;  Betsey  Stannard,  Fanny 
Sheldon,  Polly  Burr,  Hannah  Kelsey,  Asa  Munn,  Olive 
Eenjington,  Polly  Gooding,  AYilliam  Ellis,  Loriuda  Burr, 
David  Deming,  Sally  Deming,  Margaret  H.  Jones.  Elizabeth 
Brown,  Mary  Ellis,  Amos  Edgerton,  Levi  Jackson,  Isaac 
Seeley,  William  Sternberg.  Nancy  Titus,  Lydia  Gillette, 
Sally  L.  Tinker,  Matthias  L.  Angle  and  Mary  Angle. 
Kev.  John  F.  Bliss,  who  subsequently  became  pastor  of  the 
Baptist  church,  was  actively  interested  in  furthering  the 
organization.  He  and  Rev.  George  P.  King  preached 
occasionally  in  the  school  house,  but  there  was  no  regular 
preaching  until  1823,  when  Pev.  John  Taylor  preached 
half  of  his  time  in  the  log  meeting  house  erected  south  of 
the  former  residence  of  Thomas  O.  Jones.  Afterwards  the 
meetings  were  held  in  Academy  Hall,  in  the  east  village. 

There  were  no  considerable  accessions  to  the  church  until 
the  revival  of  1831,  which  commenced  in  Pochester  under 
the  preaching  of  Pev.  Charles  G.  Finney,  at  which  time  25 
persons  united  with  the  church,  and  among  them  James 
Sperry,  Ebenezer  Gooding  and  Joseph  Brown,  who  became 
active  and  substantial  members.  Under  the  impetus  of 
such  accessions  the  society,  in  the  same  year,  purcliased  a 
lot  of  the  trustees  of  Monroe  Academy,  and  erected  a  new 
church  building,  with  sheds  attached.  In  1865,  these 
buildings  upon  which  there  was  no  insurance  were  burned, 
and  the  year  following  the  present  building  was  erected. 
The  cliurch  united  with  the  Pochester  Presbytery,  under 
the  accommodation  plan,  June  27,  1833,  and  was  dismissed 
to  the  Genesee  Consociation,  July  1,  1835.  In  1834,  the 
church  numbered   114  members.     Pev.   George  P.  King, 


HISTORY    OF    ROCHESTER     PRESBYTERY.  195 

under  tlie  patronage  of  the  American  Home  Missionary 
Society,  officiated  as  stated  supply  two  years  fi-om  August, 
1826.  Following  him,  were  lievs.  William  P.  Kendrick,  John 
Thalheimer,  Eoswell  G.  Murray  (July  11,  1888— July  1, 
1835),  Edward  Wheeler,  Harvey  A.  Sackett,  Silas  H.  Ash- 
mun,  Orlow  Bartholomew,  William  Bryant  Brown,  S.  W. 
Streeter  (1848-'57),  Albert  Worthington,  Byron  Bosworth 
and  George  R.  Merrill.  Since  Mr.  Merrill  left,  the  church 
has  had  no  regular  pastor  for  any  considerable  time.* 


HONEOYE  FALLS. 


The  Presbyterian  church  of  Honeoye  Falls  (originally 
West  Mendon)  was  organized  Mai-ch  1,  1831,  under  the 
ministry  of  Rev.  George  G.  Sill,  who  began  his  \vork  here 
under  the  auspices  of  the  General  Assembly's  Board  of 
Missions  in  1828,  about  thirty  years  after  the  first  settlement 
of  the  village  Six  persons  received  by  letter  from  other 
churches,  united  in  forming  the  church:  Charles  Foot, 
Simeon  S.  Johnson,  Moses  Rowell,  Loujsa  W.  Sill,  Marcia 
M.  Blaisdell  and  Asenath  Dixon.  Within  one  month  there- 
after live  M-ere  added  by  letter  and  twelve  by  confession  of 
faith.  Since  that  time,  ten  persons  have  served  as  ruling  elders: 
Moses  Rowell,  Horace  Wheeler,  James  Smith,  who  served  for 
twenty-nine  years,  HarryAllen,  fifty-two  years,  Albe  C.  Allen, 
Asa  Pride,  forty-six  years,  Samuel  Chipman,  Zenas  AV. 
Smith,  Charles  Bickford,  and  James  Edwin  Allen.  Of 
these  Charles  Bickford,  residing  elsewhere,  and  Albe  C. 
Allen,  the  only  ruling  elder  of  the  church  at  present  (1888) 
are  now  living.     The  last  named  has  served  the  church  over 


♦Compiled  from  Prof.  Mcintosh's  History  of  Monroe  County,  1877 
Century  of  the  Presbytery  of  Rochester,  and  Hotchkiu's  History  of  ^^ 
New  York. 


Half 
Western 


196  HISTORY    OF    ROCHESTER    PRESBYTERY. 

fortj-eiglit  years,  having  also  during  that  period,  filled  the 
offices  of  clerk  and  treasurer  of  the  congregation.  Other 
elders  named  have  served  for  periods  less  than  ten  years. 
The  term  of  office  is  for  life. 

Of  the  fifteen  ministers  who  have  served  the  church,  those 
indicated  have  been  installed :  George  G.  Sill,  1828-32 ; 
Richard  Dunning,  1832;  Jacob  Hart,  1834-39;  S.  J.  Mc- 
Cullough,  (installed)  1839 ;  Ephraim  Strong,  (installed) 
1840-43 ;  Thomas  Riggs,  1843-46  ;  O.  C.  Beardsley,  1846-57  ; 
Ira  O.De  Long,  1857,  six  months  ;  J.  W.  Wood,  1858;  L.  B. 
Rogers,  1860;  Henry  M.  Hurd,  1861;  Edwin  B.  Van 
Auken,  (ordained)  1863-5  ;  Ira  O.  De  Long,  (second  term) 
1865-8;  John  E.  Baker,  1868;  Samuel  Alden  Freeman, 
1869  to  the  present,  1889  (installed  1872). 

The  Sabbath  school,  opened  in  1831,  has  continued  without 
intermission  to  the  present  time.  The  entire  number  of 
members  of  the  school  by  the  last  annual  report,  was  153. 
The  Ladies'  Aid  Society  has  for  many  years  rendered  effect- 
ive assistance  in  keeping  the  interior  of  the  church  edifice 
suitably  furnished,  and  in  other  like  work.  A  Ladies'  Mis- 
sionary Society  has  existed  for  the  last  ten  years.  Mission 
Bands  have  been  maintained  for  the  last  six  years.  Since 
1885  a  Temperance  Society  has '  existed  in  connection  with 
the  Sabbath  school,  which  holds  meetings  and  circulates  the 
Total  Abstinence  Pledge  in  the  school  once  a  month.  ''  The 
church  began  in  a  revival,"  marked  by  fifteen  or  twenty 
hopeful  conversions.  Other  years  of  especial  ingathering  have 
been  1843,  39  ;  1849,  19  ;  1859,  30  ;  1864,  27  ;  1876,  28  ; 
1887,  38.  The  first  church  edifice,  40  ft.  x  24,  was  erected 
1831,  upon  a  lot  in  the  rear  of  that  now  in  use.  The  present 
church,  70  ft.  x  42,  was  completed  in  1842,  at  a  cost  of  $4,500. 
The  lot  was  given  by  Doctor  Harry  Allen,  and  his  wife 
Lydia  JST.  They  were  also  among  the  largest  contributors 
to  the  cost  of  its  erection.  The  original  building  was  first 
sold  and  then  in  1864  re])urchased  and  is  now  annexed  to  the 


iriSTORY    OF    ROCHESTER    PRESBYTERY.  197 

rear  of  tlie  main  edilice  at  a  cost  of  $600.  The  bell  was 
placed  in  the  steeple  in  1864,  and  was  purchased  as  a 
inemorial,with  funds  left  by  Theodore  H.  Jameson,  a  member 
of  the  church  who  was  killed  at  the  second  battle  of 
Manassas,  August  30,  1862.  Considerable  repairs  were  made 
on  the  church  in  1873.  In  1877,  a  new  desk  and  other 
furniture  were  provided  for  the  pulpit.  In  1880  stained  glass 
windows  were  put  in,  and  a  pipe  organ  purchased.  In  1874 
sheds  were  built,  and  in  1887  others  were  added.  A  manse 
was  erected  in  1832,  but  was  sold  a  few  years  later,  and  in 
1876  another  w^as  bought  for  $1,500.  In  18S7  this  building 
was  remodeled  with  handsome  additions  at  a  cost  of  about 
$1,800. 

The  first  board  of  trustees  were  Harry  Allen,  James 
Dixon,  and  James  Smith.  The  present  board  are  John 
Ferguson,  Clarence  A.  Gilmore,  Christopher  Eberly,  Andrew 
Y.  Earl,  and  Christian  Nau.  Fifty-eight  persons  have  served 
in  this  capacity.  Five  persons,  originally  members  of  the 
church,  have  entered  the  ministry.  Chauncey  Leavenworth, 
(deceased,  Presbyterian) ;  Dr.  Leonard  Swayne,  (deceased, 
1869,  Congregational,  Providence,  K.  I.) ;  Edwin  Allen, 
Presbyterian  ;  Horace  H.  Allen,  Presbyterian,  and  Edward 
Gibbs  Bickford,  (deceased,  1877,  Presbyterian  missionary  at 
Marash,  Asiatic  Turkey). 

About  ten  years  after  the  organization  of  this  church, 
several  persons  left  to  unite  with  St.  John's  Protestant 
Episcopal  Church,  then  organized.  A  Christian  church 
formed  about  the  same  time  with  the  Presbyterian,  having 
disbanded  a  few  years  since,  several  of  its  members  united 
with  this  church.  In  a  like  manner  were  received,  former 
members  of  a  German  Reformed  Church  which  had  existed 
here  for  a  time.  Friendly  intercourse  and  co-operation  with 
other  churches  in  the  community  have  marked  the  life  of 
the  church,  especially  during  its  more  recent  history.  Severe 
financial  reverses  have  more  than  once  seriously  affected  the 


198  HISTORY    OF    ROCHESTER     PRESBYTERY. 

growth  and  prosperity  of  the  town.  The  Roman  Catliolic 
population  has  increased.  In  every  desirable  respect,  tliere 
has  been  a  continuous,  if  not  rapid,  advance  of  the  town, 
which  this  congregation  has,  in  its  measure,  both  promoted 
and  shared. 

In  1887,  the  church  reported  137  communicants,  a  larger 
number  than  at  any  time  before  in  its  history.  The  whole 
number  of  communicants  from  the  beginning  is  578.  Up  to 
1869,  182  by  confession,  and  213  by  letter.  Since  1869,  and 
during  the  present  pastorate  of  tM'-enty  years,  110  b}'  con- 
fession, and  73  by  letter. 


LIMA. 

The  name  of  this  town  was  Charleston,  until  1808,  when 
it  was  changed  to  Lima.  The  cliurch  was  organized  Oct.  1, 
1795,  by  Rev.  Daniel  Thatcher.  The  first  elders  were 
Elislia  Wade,  Solomon  Hovey  and  William  Williams  ;  and 
the  first  deacon  was  Thomas  Lee. 

Among  the  early  members  were  Miles  Bristol  and  wife, 
Joseph  M.  Gilbert  and  wife,  Iluldah.  wife  of  Judge  Warner, 
Mary,  wife  of  Abel  Bristol,  Elijah  Gilford  and  wife,  Charles 
Rice.  Mrs.  Daniel  Warner,  Mrs.  Clark  Brockway,  Guernsey 
W.  Cook  and  wife. 

Being  without  a  pastor,  and  having  largely  fallen  into 
decay,  tlie  church  was  reorganized  as  Congregational  by  the 
Rev.  Jacob  Catlin,  Dec.  27, 1799,  and  prior  to  1804  belonged 
to  the  Ontario  Association,  and  after  the  dissolution  of  that 
body  in  1813,  was  received  under  the  care  of  the  Presbytery 
of  Ontario,  June  20,  1820,  with  which  it  was  subsequently 
merged  into  the  present  Presbytery  of  Rochester. 

Prior  to  1804  the  church  had  little  more  than  occasional 
preaching,  and  ministers  who  were  employed  for  short  terms, 


LIMA    PRESBYTERIAN    CHURCH. 


HISTORY    OK    ROOHESTKK     PRESBYTERY.  101> 

tlie  Rev.  James  IT.  Ilotelikin,  stating  in  his  liistory  tliat 
he  preached  to  this  congregation  one  half  of  the  time  for 
more  than  six  montiis  of  tlie  year  1802. 

In  November,  ISO-t,  the  Rev.  Ezekiel  J.  Chapman  was 
employed  as  stated  supply  for  about  two  years,  who  was 
succeeded  by  Rev.  Mr.  Leavenworth  for  a  short  term.  Mr. 
Chapman  afterwards  returned  and  was  installed  pastor,  Jan. 
12,  1809,  and  remained  until  1811  He  was  succeeded  by 
Rev.  John  Brown,  who  served  for  a  short  time  and  was 
followed  by  Rev.  Mr.  Cook. 

Rev,  John  Barnard  was  installed  February  3,  1819,  which 
relation  was  dissolved  September  18, 1856,  of  whose  life  and 
character  an  extended  sketch  is  found  in  connection  Avith 
the  history  of  Presbytery. 

Rev.  Robert  R.  Kellogg  was  installed  pastor  June  22, 
1857,  which  relation  was  dissolved  July  22,  1859. 

Rev.  Alphonso  L.  Benton  was  ordained  and  installed 
March  6,  1861,  which  relation  was  dissolved  September  18, 
1870. 

Rev.  Albert  H.  Corliss  was  installed  December  27, 1870, 
which  relation  was  dissolved  December  30,  1875. 

Rev.  Henry  N.  Payne  was  installed.  May  1st,  1877,  which 
was  dissolved,  February  10,  1879.  The  Rev.  James  Robert- 
son immediately  succeeded  Mr.  Payne  as  stated  supply  for 
about  two  years,  when  ill  health  compelled  him  to  resign. 

Rev.  Alfred  K.  Bates  was  installed,  October  25,  1882, 
which  was  dissolved,  October  2,  1883.  The  present  pastor 
Rev.  Benjamin  F.  Willoughby  commenced  his  labors,  Janu- 
ary 1,  1881,  and  was  installed,  May  12,  1884. 

The  elders  which  were  elected.  May  21,  1820,  when  the 
church  became  fully  Presbyterian,  were  Abel  Bristol, 
Gurdon  W.  Cook,  Elijah  Gifford  and  John  Dixon  ;  also 
Henry  Look  and  Nathan  Rogers,  deacons. 

The  rotary  eldership  was  adopted,  February  5,  1887. 
And  the  present  elders  are  William  R.   McNair,  Justin  S. 


200  HISTORY    OF    ROCHESTER    PRESBYTERY. 

Goodrich,  Andrew  J.  Warner,  Edward  Salmon,  Henry 
E.  Lawrence  and  William  H.  Day.  The  deacons  are  Edwin 
Warner,  Joseph  Foreman  and  Charles  D.  Miner.  The  rotary 
system  does  not  apply  to  the  deacons. 

During  the  ministry  of  Rev.  Dr.  Barnard  the  records 
show  that  revivals  occurred  in  1828,  when  23  were  received 
on  confession  ;  in  1838,  when  28  were  received,  and  in  1842, 
when  57  were  received.  The  loss  of  the  records  from  1831 
to  1842,  prevents  greater  particularity  in  regard  to  the 
spiritual  condition  of  the  church  at  that  time.  The  long 
ministry  of  Dr.  Barnard  will,  however,  be  well  remembered 
for  its  great  ability  and  success. 

In  1 858,  during  the  ministry  of  the  Rev.  Robert  R.  Kel- 
logg, the  church  shared  in  the  general  revival  with  which 
the  country  was  blessed,  and  27  were  added.  In  1862^,  dur- 
ing Mr.  Benton's  ministry  36  were  added.  In  1876,  in  con- 
nection with  the  ministry  of  Mr.  Payne,  22  were  added  ; 
also  in  1878,  when  he  was  assisted  by  Rev.  E.  E.  Davidson, 
the  Evangelist,  27  were  added. 

During  the  summer  of  1884,  a  Young  People's  Associa- 
tion was  formed.  This  was  at  first  an  independent  organiza- 
tion, but  was  afterwards  resolved  into  a  Young  People's 
Society  of  Christian  Endeavor  in  connection  with  the  gen- 
eral organization  of  that  name. 

November  10,  1874,  a  Ladies'  Missionary  Society  was 
organized.  This  society  especially  undertakes  to  contribute 
fifty  dollars  per  annum  towards  the  support  of  Mrs.  Fannie 
M.  Smith,  formerly  Miss  Fannie  Strong,  who  went  from 
this  church  as  a  missionary  to  Peking,  China,  and  is  still  in 
China  in  the  missionary  work. 

The  religious  society  connected  with  the  church  was  first 
organized  as  the  Charleston  Congregational  Society,  Janu- 
ary 5, 1802,  when  the  following  trustees  were  chosen  :  David 
Morgan,  Willard  Humphrey,  x\bel  Bristol,  Manasseh 
Leech,  Asahel  AYarner  and  William  Williams.     The  name 


HISTORY    OF    ROCHESTER    PRESBYTERY.  201 

of  the  society  was  changed  in  1851  to  *•  The  Lima  Presbyte- 
rian Society." 

In  the  early  part  of  the  century,  the  churcli  was  feeble 
and  able  to  pay  but  a  small  salary  and  a  part  of  that  in  pro- 
duce ;  and  at  a  later  period  was  in  great  financial  straits, 
which  were  attributable  to  failures  in  business,  removals  of 
families  and  hard  times,  but  about  the  year  1850,  affairs 
took  a  more  favorable  turn.  The  church  originally  met  for 
worship  in  a  school  house. 

The  first  church  building  was  completed  in  1816,  at  a 
cost  of  seven  thousand  dollars,  and  occupied  a  central  and 
very  commanding  location.  The  same  was  re-roofed  and 
remodeled  during  the  pastorate  of  Mr.  Benton,  and  a  large 
organ  was  purchased.  This  was  succeeded  by  the  present 
beautiful  and  spacious  brick  edifice,  the  corner  stone  of 
which  was  laid,  August  12,  1873,  during  the  pastorate  of 
Mr.  Corliss.  There  is  a  convenient  lecture  room  in  the 
rear,  and  a  dining  room  and  kitchen  in  the  basement. 

The  society  owns  a  very  pleasant  and  commodious  par- 
sonage. The  present  trustees  are  Justin  S.  (xoodrich, 
Charles  Warner,  Henry  E.  Lawrence,  Horace  E.  Gilbert, 
Hiram  B.  "Warner  and  Edward  Salmon. 


LIVOMA. 


Li  the  year  179()  a  settlement  was  made  at  the  outlet  of 
Honeoye  Lake.  The  first  man  who  moved  there  was  Peter 
Pitts,  whose  family  were  the  only  white  persons  for  four 
years.  Then  many  came  from  Massachusetts,  Connecticut 
and  Vermont,  before  the  close  of  the  century.  The  first 
sermon  was  by  Kev.  Samuel  Mills  in  1792.  In  1801  the 
Kev.  Zadoc  Hunn,  who  for  several  years  had  given  one- 
eighth  of  his  time  to  the  people  of  Pittstown,  died.     There 


2(J2  HISTORY    OF    ROCHESTER    PRESBYTERY. 

was  a  revival  of  great  power  during  his  ministry,  and  so 
many  were  converted  that  ever  after  religious  worship  has 
been  maintained.  The  western  part  of  the  above  named 
settlement,  called  Livonia,  was  chosen  as  the  center,  or  site, 
for  a  village.  Log  cabins  were  built  about  the  square,  which 
was  set  apart  as  the  place  for  the  church.  The  first  pioneer 
in  Livonia  was  Solomon  Woodruff,  grandfather  of  Mr. 
S.  G.  Woodruff.  In  the  year  1803,  the  first  religious  ser- 
vices of  record  were  held  by  Rev.  John  Rolf.  These  ser- 
vices were  continued  by  himself  and  Mr.  Lane,  a  Methodist 
preacher,  till  the  year  1806.  In  December  of  that  year 
seventeen  persons  were  organized  into  "  The  Second  Con- 
gregational Church,  of  Pittstown,"  by  Rev.  Aaron  C.  Col- 
lins. The  original  members  were  Jeremiah  Riggs,  Aaron 
Childs,  Selah  Stedman,  Damann  Blake,  Oliver  Woodruff, 
Benjamin  Cook,  Thankful  Parsons,  Lucy  Childs,  Mary  Sted- 
man, Irene  Clark,  Rachel  Gibbs,  Nancy  Benton,  Lydia 
Gibbs,  Anna  Woodruff,  Sally  Fenand,  Sally  Blake  and 
Rebecca  Blake. 

The  church  thus  formed  was  received  by  the  Ontario 
Association  in  1807.  The  Lord's  Supper  was  administered 
for  the  first  time  February  22,  1807.  Till  a  house  of  wor- 
ship could  be  built,  the  Sabbath  was  honored  by  prayer, 
praise  and  conference  in  log  cabins,  barns,  and  in  a  school 
house  on  Buel's  Hill.  When  no  preacher  could  be  had  a 
"  reading  meeting"  was  held.  In  the  year  1808,  Pittstown 
was  divided  into  Livonia  on  the  west,  and  lioneoye  on  the 
east.  As  the  Ontario  Association  was  dissolved  May  25, 
1813,  the  church  at  Livonia  took  the  name  of  First  Presby- 
terian, which  it  has  since  retained.  On  the  7th  of 
July,  1S13,  it  was  received  into  Geneva  Presbytery,  but  in 
1817  it  was  transferred  to  Ontario  Presbytery.  Its  first 
elders,  elected  that  year  (1813),  were  Asa  Woodford,  Zara 
Blake,  Selah  Stedman  and  Oliver  Woodruff.  Its  first  dea- 
con was  John  Warner,  elected  1810,  and  its  second,  Oliver 


HISTORY    OF    ROCHESTER     PRESBYTERY.  203 

Woodruff,  elected  1812.  Its  Urst  house  of  worship  was 
raised  May  30,  1814.  The  cost  was  $3,000.  The  church 
then  had  hut  tliirty  members.  The  Rev.  Mr.  Collins  sup- 
plied them  about  ei^ht  years.  He  was  followed  by  the  Rev. 
Ebenezer  Everett  for  two  years.  A  revival  of  great  power 
occurred  during  his  ministry.  He  was  succeeded  by  Rev. 
Ezekiel  Chapman,  a  scholar,  who  published  a  book  of  value, 
of  "  Critical  Notes  on  Select  Passages  of  the  New  Testa- 
ment." His  ministry  of  about  eight  years  was  fruitful  in 
blessings. 

In  1823,  Joel  Stone,  Wm.  Ticknor,  David  Doolittle  and 
Alfred  Beecher,  were  ordained  elders.  In  1826,  Elisha  Clark 
was  elected  elder.  April  30,  1828,  Rev.  Jeremiah  Stow 
was  installed  pastor.  His  pastorate  was  only  four  years.  He 
died  at  the  age  of  thirty-four,  greatly  honored  and  lamented. 
Seventy  were  added  to  the  church  during  his  ministry. 
In  1829,  Jonathan  Kingsbury  was  elected  elder,  and  Alfred 
Beecher,  deacon.  In  1830  the  church  petitioned  Presbytery 
for  leave  to  adopt  the  Congregational  form  of  government, 
remaining  with  Presbytery  on  the  '•  Accommodation  Plan." 
This  request  was  granted  on  Dec.  19,  1832.  One  month 
after  its  pastor's  death  the  church  edifice  was  burned.  In  a 
year  and  a  half  after,  the  present  building  was  raised,  being 
the  first  in  the  town  raised  without  liquor.  It  was  dedi- 
cated free  from  debt.  The  next  pastor  was  Rev,  Justus  S, 
Hough  for  seven  years,  during  which,  one  hundred  were 
added  to  the  church,  mostly  by  letter.  Rufus  E.  Hill,  in 
1833,  was  elected  deacon,  and  in  1846,  Adna  S.  Gibbs.  In 
March,  1843,  Rev.  Benjamin  G,  Riley  was  installed  pastor, 
and  remained  about  twelve  years.  Seventy  were  added  to 
the  church.     In  1859  Horatio  Reed  was  elected  deacon. 

On  the  9th  of  January,  1856,  Rev.  Anson  H.  Parmelee 
was  installed  pastor.  There  were  revivals  in  1858  and  1867. 
Mr.  Parmelee  was  pastor  for  thirteen  years,  during  which 
time  138  were  added  to  the  church,  107  on  profession.     In 


204  HISTORY    OF    ROCHESTER    PRESBYTERY. 

18H5  Benjamin  Coy  was  elected  deacon.  For  two  years  the 
pulpit  was  profitably  supplied  by  Prof.  U.  P.  Coddington 
of  Genesee  College.  At  this  time  the  church  building  was 
repaired,  costing  about  $5,000.  Oct.  5,  1871,  Kev.  Wm. 
H.  Millham  was  installed  pastor,  and  remained  till  the 
close  of  the  year,  1885,  when  he  was  called  to  Hillsdale, 
Michigan,  where  he  M^as  most  successful  till  his  death, 
April  28,  1888.  The  ministry  of  Mr.  Millham  of  thirteen 
years  was  most  useful.  During  it,  the  manse  was  built, 
which,  with  the  land,  cost  about  $6,000.  Tliere  were 
revivals  in  1SY2  and  1875,  in  which,  over  100  united  with 
the  church.  Since  the  church  was  organized  about  seven 
hundred  and  fifty  persons  have  been  added  to  its  commun- 
ion by  letter  and  profession.  Twelve  of  its  members  have 
entered  the  gospel  ministry.  This  church  has  always  been 
self-supporting.  It  had  a  Sabbath  school  as  far  back  as  the 
year  1818,  which  was  known  as  the  "  Catechetical  Society  of 
Livonia."  It  was  instituted  by  Joel  Parker,  then  a  member 
of  this  church  and  teacher  of  the  district  school,  after- 
wards the  Rev.  Joel  Parker,  D.  D,,  of  New  York,  New 
Orleans  and  Philadelphia. 

The  Rev.  Edward  B.  Walsworth,  the  present  pastor,  was 
called  July  11,  1886. 


MENDON. 


Among  the  early  settlers  of  Mendon  were  Jonas  Allen, 
from  Stockbridge,  Mass.,  in  1797  ;  Timothy  Barnard,  Ezra 
Sheldon  and  Thomas  Ewer.  Doctor  Nathan  Wadsworth,  a 
Presbyterian  from  Vermont,  arrived  in  August  1S07.  As 
early  as  January  1,  1809,  he  and  Mr.  Cornelius  Treat,  a 
Baptist,  and  others,  including  four  families,  met  at  the  house 
of   Mr.    Treat,    and    held     religious    worship,    by   singing, 


HISTORY    OF    ROCHESTER    PRESHVTERY.  205 

praying,  and  a  sermon  read  by  Dr.  Wadsworth.  From 
this  time  meetings  were  held  each  Sabbath  for  some 
months.  Soon  after  these  meetings  had  been  started,  the 
eloquent  speaker  and  gifted  Dr.  Wadsworth  died,  and  on 
December  21,  1809,  the  Baptists  formed  the  first  rehgious 
society.  January  5,  1815,  at  the  residence  of  Ezra  Sheldon, 
Jr.,  a  Congregational  Society  was  organized,  with  the 
following  named  trustees  :  Marvin  Smith,  M.  Barrett,  Jonas 
Allen,  Timothy  Barnard,  Ezra  Sheldon,  and  Thomas  Ewer. 

Rev.  John  Taylor  appears  to  have  ministered  to  this 
church  as  early  as  1816.  January  3,  1820,  a  schism  occurred 
on  a  difference  of  opinion  as  to  the  location  of  the  new 
church  building  to  be  erected.  Mr,  Taylor  and  a  part  of 
his  flock  organized  the  "  Central  Congregational  Society," 
and  worshipped  in  a  church  near  the  school  house  on  Taylor 
street,  the  others  of  the  old  society  continued  in  the  school 
house.  July  4,  1822,  those  worshipping  in  the  school  house 
were  organized  into  a  Presbyterian  church  by  Rev.  Aaron 
C.  Collins,  of  East  Bloomtield,  and  Rev.  Reuben  Parmele 
of  Victor.  "  The  following  named  members  of  the  original 
Congregational  church,  were  constituted  a  Presbyterian 
church  :  Elder  Ezra  Sheldon,  and  Eunice,  his  wife.  Elder 
Thomas  Ewer,  Harmanus  Courter  and  Jane,  his  wife,  Mrs. 
M.  Wilson,  Mrs.  C.  De  Garno,  Mrs.  Phoebe  and  Miss 
Harriet  Barnard,  Mrs.  Libbie  Spear,  Mrs.  Charlotte  Beers, 
Elder  Asa  Robbins,  and  Mrs.  James  Doyen. 

Messrs.  Sheldon,  Ewer  and  Robbins  were  ordained  elders. 
The  two  first  were  the  original  organizers  of  the  former 
Congregational  church,  and  this  new  organization  was  a 
perpetuation  of  the  same  as  a  Presbyterian  church.  This 
church  was  received  into  the  Rochester  Presbytery  July  2, 
1823. 

Rev.  Mr.  Pierson  ministered  to  this  branch  of  the  original 
Congregational  church,  from  March  5,  1821.  Rev.  Elijah 
WoUager  succeeded  him  on  the  21st  of  the  following 
November.     September  13,  1824,  a  movement  was  made  to 


206  HISTORY    OF    ROCHESTER    PRESBYTERY. 

build  a  church.  The  corner  stone  was  laid  July  13,  1825, 
by  the  Masonic  fraternity,  in  presence  of  a  large  concourse 
of  people.  The  church  numbered  but  a  score  of  members, 
and  opened  a  Sabbath  school  in  April,  with  20  scholars,  and 
by  June  had  increased  the  number  to  110.  At  the  time 
there  was  a  Ladies'  Missionary  Society  of  over  50  members. 
The  first  meeting  in  the  new  church  was  on  June  26,  1826, 
and  the  dedicatory  sermon  was  by  Rev,  A.  D.  Eddy,  of 
Canandaigua.  In  1839,  the  church  was  moved  from  the  hill 
to  where  it  now  stands  in  the  valley.  In  1828,  under  the 
ministry  of  Mr.  Jones,  was  tlie  first  large  addition  under  a 
revival.  He  had  been  sent  by  the  Presbytery  upon  the 
humble  and  urgent  petition  of  the  church,  and  during  the 
one  year  of  his  ministry  over  40  united  with  the  church,  and 
they  proved  to  be  a  great  support  to  the  church  for  years, 
and  among  whom  was  Timothy  Barnard,  one  of  the  earlier 
and  most  prominent  settlers  of  the  town.  He  was  elected 
an  elder  and  held  the  office  for  52  3'ears.  During  the  six 
years' pastoi^ate  of  Rev  J.  M.  Sherwood,  there  were  additions 
to  the  church,  benevolent  gifts  were  increased,  the  parsonage 
built,  and  the  Sabbath-school  prosperous.  The  church, 
declined  in  numbers  from  123  in  1848,  to  47  in  1859, 
notwithstanding  45  new  names  had  been  added  to  the  roll. 
In  1857  Frederick  Probst  was  elected  and  ordained  an  elder, 
which  office  he  has  held  faithfully  and  still  continues  to  hold. 
During  the  ministry  of  Rev.  Dwight  Scovel,  1867,  there  was 
much  improvement  in  spiritual  things,  and  in  church 
property.  A  chapel  was  built,  meetings  wei-e  held  in  out- 
lying stations,  extra  Sunday  schools  were  maintained ;  and 
again  it  became  apparent  that  when  the  church  was  doing 
most  for  Christ's  cause  beyond  its  borders,  it  was  doing  most 
for  itself.  This  church  has  had  the  experience  of  the  ups 
and  downs  of  a  country  village  church.  It  is  largely  depen- 
dent upon  one  man  for  its  linancial  support.  During  Mr. 
Hubbard's  ministry,  improvements  were  made  in  the  church 
and  new  sheds  built. 


HISTORY    OF    ROCHESTER    PRESBYTERY.  207 

The  following  is  the  roll  of  ministers  who  have  served  this 
church  :  Kev,  George  Ct.  Sill,  June,  1825,  to  February, 
1828  ;  Eev.  William  Jones,  March,  1828  ;  Rev.  Elisha  D. 
Andrews,  January,  1830 ;  Rev.  Ezra  Scovil,  December, 
1831  ;  Rev.  John  Thalheimer,  June,  1833,  to  August,  1835  ; 
Rev.  Elijah  D.  Wells,  October,  1836,  to  October,  1837; 
Rev.  Snyder,   June,    1838  ;    Rev.    J.   M.   Sherwood, 

August,  1840;  Rev.  Rankin,  July,  1845;  Rev.  Robert  W. 
Hill,  October,  1848;  Rev.  L.  W.  Billington,  May,  1853; 
Rev.  Overhizer,  August,  1857  ;  Rev.  Nathaniel  Hurd, 

August,  18()0;  Rev.  E.  B.  Van  Auken,  May,  1865;  Rev. 
Dwight  Scovel,  June,  1867;  Rev.  Alexander  Douglass, 
1868;  Rev.  H.  II.  Morgan,  1872;  following  him  Rev.  W. 
G.  Hubbard,  4  years  ;  Rev.  John  N.  Kilbourn,  began  in  the 
fall  of  1881,  and  continued  until  the  spring  of  1887.  He 
left  the  church  with  a  larger  roll  of  members  and  a  larger 
Sundaj^-school,  and  had  made  certain  church  improvements, 
outwardly  as  well  as  spiritually.  Rev.  Theodore  B.  Wil- 
liams, the  present  incumbent,  began  his  ministry  in  July, 
1887.     By  the  will  of  the  late  Mrs.  Zyler,  the  church 

receives  $1,000.  A  timely  gift,  wisely  and  generously  given. 
jVo  history  of  this  church  would  be  complete,  without 
mention  of  the  service  and  kindly  interest  of  Mr.  Marvin 
Gates,  who  for  many  years  held  the  office  of  trustee. 

Present  Session,  Elders:  Frederic  K.  Probst,  Henry 
Scribner,  Curtis  M.  Gates. 

Present  Board  of  Trustees:  John  Eckler,  Sheldon  Strong, 
Theodore  D.  Rupert. 


Compiled  from  Mr.  Theo.  B.  Williams'  sketch,  Hotchkin's  History  of  Western 
New  York  :  Mcintosh's  History  of  Monroe  County. 


208  HISTORY    OF    ROCHESTER    PRESBYTERY 


MOSCOW. 

The  first  ministerial  labors  in  this  village,  were  those  of 
Stephen  M.  Wheelock,  a  licentiate,  about  the  year  1814; 
who  at  that  time  was  supplying  the  church  at  Mount  Morris. 
He  was  followed  in  the  year  1816,  by  Rev.  Elihu  Mason,  of 
Barkhampstead,  Mass.,  who  also  preached  at  Perry  and  the 
district  then  known  as  the  Holland  Purchase.  By  his 
efforts,  the  Presbyterian  church  was  organized  in  June, 
1817,  by  Rev.  Abraham  Foreman,  and  was  connected  with 
the  Presbytery  of  Ontario. 

The  original  members  were  as  follows  :  Asahel  Munger, 
Asahel  Munger,  Jr.,  Hinman  A.  Poland,  Asa  R.  Palmer, 
Ahijah  C.  Warren,  Eunice  Munger,  Lydia  Munger, 
Amanda  Munger  and  Bathsheba  Warren.  The  first  elders 
were  Asahel  Munger,  Ahijah  C  Warren  and  Asa  R. 
Palmer. 

The  Moscow  Presbyterian  Church  Society  was  organized 
in  July,  1818,  and  the  following  six  trustees  were  elected  : 
Asahel  Munger,  Ahijah  C.  Warren,  Asa  R.  Palmer,  Samuel 
Miles  Hopkins,  Nicholas  Ayrault  and  Hezekiah  Ripley ; 
the  latter  was  the  publisher  of  the  Moscow  Advertiser,  the 
first  newspaper  published  in  the  county  of  Livingston. 

During  the  ministry  of  Mr.  Mason,  which  continued  to 
April,  1819,  nine  besides  the  original  members  were  added 
to  the  church.  The  first  of  these  was.  Mrs.  Polly  Button, 
daughter  of  Capt.  Joseph  Smith,  who  was  captured  by  the 
Senecas,  while  serving  in  the  Revolutionary  War ;  she  was 
the  first  white  female  child  born  west  of  Utica.  Another 
of  these  early  members,  was  Samuel  M.  Hopkins,  who 
founded  the  village,  was  an  elder  of  the  church,  and  was 
also  a  member  of  the  13th  Congress.  Another,  who  was 
also  an  elder  of  the  church,  was  Col.  Jerediah  Horsford,  who 
taught  a  mission  school  among  the  Seneca  Indians  at  Squa- 


HISTORY    OF    ROCHESTKR    PRKSBYTERY.  2(>1> 

kie  Hill,  and  was  employed  by  the  Presbytery  of  (xeiieva, 
to  erect  a  school  house  for  them. 

Following  Mr.  Mason  in  the  supply  of  the  pulpit  were 
Rev.  Samuel  T.  Mills,  1820  to  1826  ;  Rev.  Amos  P.  Brown, 
1826  to  1829  and  Rev.  John  Walker,  1829  to  1833.  Dur- 
ing Mr.  Walker's  ministry  the  church  edifice  was  built,  and 
seventy  were  added  to  tlie  members. 

Among  the  pioneers  who  at  this  time  were  interested  in 
the  church,  were  Eleazar  1).  Parker,  Noah  Cooley,  Dr. 
Daniel  P.  Bissel,  Henry  A.  Wilmerding,  Felix  Tracy? 
George  W.  Patterson,  William  Lyman,  Harvey  Wheelock, 
W.  T.  Cuyler,  Job  Holbrook,  Nathaniel  Wilder,  Jesse 
Waddams,  Martyn  Starr  and  C.  Ames. 

After  Mr.  Walker,  the  pulpit  was  supplied  for  a  short 
time  by  Rev.  Mr.  Schaffer,  who  was  followed  by  Rev. 
Samuel  Porter  from  November,  1833,  to  1835.  Immediately 
following  him,  was  Rev.  John  H.  Redington,  during  whose 
ministry,  in  August,  1837,  the  church  was  divided  into  two 
separate  churches,  new  and  old  school.  The  new  school 
being  in  the  majority,  and  numbering  59,  retained  the  church 
edifice,  and  the  original  church  organization,  and  secured 
Rev.  M.  Gillet  as  their  minister  from  1838  to  1841,  and 
Rev,  Ebenezer  H.  Stratton  from  1841  to  1845  ;  while  the 
old  school,  numbering  39,  organized  a  separate  church,  retain- 
ing Mr.  Redington  as  their  minister,  and  built  a  small 
edifice  at  the  east  end  of  the  public  square,  and  united  with 
the  Susquehanna  Presbytery.  Mr.  Redington  w^as  their 
pastor  until  his  death  in  September,  1841,  who  was  followed 
by  Rev.  John  W.  McDonald,  who  was  installed  in  1843. 
During  his  ministry  in  the  O.  S.  Church,  and  that  of  Rev, 
E.  H.  Stratton  of  tlieN.  S.  Church,  by  the  efforts  of  the 
latter,  and  his  willingness  to  retire  from  the  field,  a  reunion 
of  the  tw^o  churches  was  effected,  February  5th,  1845,  under 
the  Presbytery  of  Wyoming,  O.  S.,  and  the  united  church 
worshipped  again  in  the  old  sanctuary,  retaining  Rev.  J.  W. 
McDonald  as  their  pastor  until  1848. 


210  HISTORY    OP'    KOCHKSTEK    PRESBYTERY. 

After  Mr,  McDonald,  the  pulpit  was  supplied  by  Rev. 
L.  Leonard  from  1849  to  1856 ;  Rev.  Walter  V.  Couch  for 
three  months ;  Rev.  James  M.  Harlow,  1857  to  1864  ;  Rev. 
¥.  DeW.  Ward,  D.  D,,  for  two  months ;  Rev.  George  R. 
Howell,  1864  to  1865  ;  Rev.  Washington  D.  McKinley  as 
pastor,  1866  to  1873  ;  Rev.  Jerome  Allen,  1873  to  1874  and 
Rev.  Fisher  Gutelius  as  pastor,  1874  to  the  present  time. 

The  present  elders,  who  are  chosen  for  terms  of  four 
years  each,  are  Daniel  T.  Barnum,  Newton  H.  Crosby, 
F.  Stuart  Gray  and  William  Holbrook. 

Those  who  in  their  youtli  wei'e  members  either  of  the 
congregation  or  church,  and  have  entered  the  ministry,  are 
Rev.  John  B.  Dales,  D.  D.,  Rev.  Elam  H.  Walker,  Rev. 
Herman  N.  Barnum,  D.  D.,  son  of  elder  D.  T.  Barnum, 
and  for  thirty  years  a  missionary  at  Harpoot,  Turkey,  Rev. 
William  Wilder  and  Rev.  Charles  Ferry. 

Two  ladies  \vho  were  born  here,  went  as  missionaries  to 
foreign  nations  ;  Mrs.  Emily  (Redington)  Montgomery,  who 
went  to  Central  Turkey,  and  is  now  at  Adana,  and  Miss 
Sarah  Dales,  who  M'as  sent  out  by  the  U.  P.  Church,  and 
was  subsequently  married  to  Dr.  Lansing,  and  is  nowlal)or- 
ing  in  Cairo,  Egypt. 

The  whole  number  of  members  has  been  401.  The 
present  number  is  91.  The  largest  number  was  before  the 
separation,  which  was  the  time  also  of  greatest  prosperity 
to  the  village.  During  the  division,  fewer  were  added  to 
the  churches  than  at  any  period  of  like  length  in  its  history  ; 
and  at  the  reunion  of  the  churches,  the  number  of  members 
w^as  considerably  less  than  at  the  separation. 

Religious  services  were  first  held  in  the  Brick  School 
house  for  about  three  years,  and  subsequently  for  about 
thirteen  years,  in  the  Female  Academy  ;  which  was  then  a 
flourishing  institution.  The  present  church  edifice,  65  by 
45,  was  built  in  1832,  at  a  cost  of  $3,300,  and  in  1868  was 
)nodernized  and  refurnished  at  an  expense  of  $3,000. 


HISTORY    OB'    ROCHE8TKK    PKESBYTEKY.  211 

111  1876,  a  new  pipe  organ  costing  $2,500  was  placed  in 
the  church. 

The  Sabbath  school,  organized  about  1833,  and  continued 
ever  since,  was  never  more  prosperous  than  under  the 
present  superintendency  of  Austin  W.  Wheelock. 

The  church  in  the  summers  has  sustained  mission  schools 
and  preaching  in  outlying  districts. 


MOUNT  MORRIS  FIRST. 

Mount  Morris  was  settled  in  1794  by  Gen.  Wm.  A.  Mills. 

The  First  Presbyterian  Church  was  organized  April  29, 
1814,  by  the  following  individuals :  Jesse  Stanley, 
Jonathan  Beach,  Luther  Parker,  Enos  Baldwin,  Abraha^n 
Camp,  Luman  Stanley,  Russel  Sheldon,  Alniira  Hopkins, 
Lucy  Beach,  Martha  Parker,  Sarah  Baldwin,  Mary  Camp, 
Patty  M.  Stanley  and  Clarissa  Sheldon. 

Ministers  :  Mr.  Stephen  M.  AVheelock,  a  licentiate,  was 
the  iirst  minister,  and  continued  about  three  years  after  tljte 
organization.     His  successors  have  been  as  follows  : 

Rev.  Silas  Pratt,  from  1817  to  1818. 

Rev.  Elihu  Mason,  1818  to  1820.  ," 

Rev.  Bartholomew  F.  Pratt,  1821.  to  1825.  > 

Rev.  Wm,  Lyman,  D.  D.,  1825  to  1827. 

Rev.  Abel  B.  Clary,  1827  to  1828. 

Rev.  James  McMaster,  1828  to  lb30.  | 

Rev.  Calvin  Bushnell,  1830  to  1831. 

Rev.  James  Wilcox,  1831  to  1832.  ,. 

Rev.  George  W.  Elliott,  1832  to  1834. 

Rev.  Clark  H.  Goodrich,  1834  to  1838.  | 

Rev.  John  Van  Buren,  183S  to  1839.  [ 

Rev.  Cyrus  Hudson,  1839  to  1840.  i 


212  HISTORY    OF    KOCHESTEK    PRESBYTERY. 

Rev.  C.  H.  A.  Bulkley,  D.  D.,  1847  to  1851. 

Rev.  Darwin  Cliichester,  1851  to  1855. 

Rev.  Levi  Parsons,  D.  D.,  1856  to  the  present  time. 

Ruling  Elders:  The  first  ruling  elders  were  Jesse 
Stanley,  Abraham  Camp  and  Jonathan  Beach.  Those 
subsequently  elected  were  in  1818,  James  Coe  and  Luther 
Parker ;  1820,  Asa  Woodford  and  Oliver  Stanley ;  1829, 
John  Pratt  and  James  Conkey ;  1831,  George  Kemp,  Jr., 
and  George  Hastings ;  1834,  Harry  H.  Evarts  and  James 
H.  Rodgers  ;  1836,  Reuben  Weeks,  Reuben  Sleeper  and 
Charles  W.  King ;  1842,  Marsena  Allen ;  1844,  Henry 
Sheldon,  Charles  Holmes  and  Levi  Goddard  ;  1853,  Samuel 
J.  Mills,  Loren  J.  Ames,  Milo  H.  Maltbie  and  Stilwell 
Burroughs  ;  1857,  Loren  Coy  and  Pomeroy  Sheldon  ;  1862, 
Jonathan  E.  Robinson,  Samuel  L.  Rockfellow  and  Justine 
Smith;  1871,  Elijah  N.  Bacon,  Frederick  E.  Hastings, Ziba 
A.  Colburn  and  Jay  E.  Lee ;  1875,  Reuben  S.  Weeks  and 
Wilder  Silver ;  1883,  Miles  B.  McNair  ;  1886,  Henry  M. 
Swan  and  Joshua  C.  Weeks ;  1887,  Robert  Crawford. 

The  term-eldership  was  adopted  in  1875. 

Deacons:  The  first  deacons  were  Jesse  Stanley  and 
Jonathan  Beach.  Those  subsequently  elected  have  been 
as  follows:  1831,  Asa  Woodford,  William  Marvin  and 
Abraham  C.  Camp;  1834,  James  Conkey  and  Marsena 
Allen  ;  1861,  Robert  E.  Weeks  ;  1862,  Esek  M.  Winegar  ; 
1871,  James  Beggs  and  Milo  H.  Maltbie  ;  1879,  Wilder 
Silver  ;  1886,  Willard  A.  Weeks  ;  1887,  Jacob  Tallman  and 
Amos  Austin. 

Memhers :  The  whole  number  of  members  by  cata- 
logue is  1,359,  being  an  average  annual  addition  of  18-^. 
The  present  number  reported  is  262.  Baptisms,  189  adults, 
and  450  infants ;  total,  639. 

Choir :  The  first  choir  consisted  of  Dea.  Jesse  Stanley, 
leader,  Luman  Stanley  and  wife,  Mrs.  Mark  Hopkins,  Mrs. 
Parmerlee,  Abraham  C.  Camp,  Moses  Camp  and  Harlow 
Beach. 


HISTORY    OF    ROCHESTEK    PRESBYTERY.  213 

The  succession  of  leaders  is  as  follows  :  llarloM'  Beach, 
Moses  Camp,  Wm.  H.  Stanley,  Cicero  Camp,  John  Pratt, 
Harry  Evarts,  George  Hastings,  Henry  Sheldon,  Loren  Coy 
and  Thomas  Hudson.  Mr.  Coy  was  a  very  faithful  leader 
for  more  than  tliirty  years.  The  organ  was  purchased  in 
1864.  Mrs.  Merab  A.  Scott  was  organist  from  1864  to  1867. 
Mrs.  Ruth  M.  Hastings,  from  1867  to  1888,  and  Miss  Helen 
Coy,  from  1883  to  the  present  time. 

Sahhath  School:  As  early  as  1814  or  1815,  Mrs.  Oliver 
Stanley,  and  Emily,  daughter  of  Luman  Stanley,  gatliered 
numbers  of  poor  children  and  instructed  them  upon  the 
Sabbath.  As  the  result  of  these  efforts  a  permanent 
organization  was  effected  in  1817.  Allen  Ayrault  was 
superintendent  in  1818.  Among  the  early  teachers  were 
Abraham  C.  and  Moses  Camp,  Harlow  Beach,  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Alvah  Beach,  Sylvia  Coe.  Lucina  Baldwin,  Deacon  Conkey 
and  Asa  Mahan.  Some  Indian  girls  were  among  the  pupils. 
Newton  Robinson  was  superintendent  al)out  1826,  and  was 
succeeded  by  Abner  Dean  and  John  Pratt.  The  office, 
with  slight  exceptions,  was  fflledfrom  1831  to  1866  by  Harry 
Evarts  and  Hon.  George  Hastings,  the  former  from  1831  to 
1841,  and  the  latter  from  1841  to  1866,  the  time  of  his  death. 
He  has  been  succeeded  by  Dea.  Milo  H.  Maltbie,  Wm.  P. 
Heston,  A.  M.  Bingham,  Esq.,  Dr.  L.  J.  Ames,  James 
Vanderbilt,  Wm.  H.  Pease,  F.  E.  Hastings,  Joshua  C. 
Weeks  and  Miles  B.  McNair. 

Missionary  Societies  :  The  Youth's  Missionary  Associ- 
ation was  organized  in  1856,  and  continued  for  about  seven 
years. 

"  The  Ladies'  Church  Missionary  Society,"  was  organized 
January  10,  1872,  Mrs.  Harriet  M.  Parsons,  president ;  the 
"'  Young  Ladies'  Missionary  Society,"  April  16,  1882,  Anna 
M.  Maltbie,  president ;  and  the  "  Cyprus  Mission  Band," 
June  9,  1882,  Carrie  Lowery,  president,  all  of  which  are 
w:ell  sustained  up  to  the  present  time,  having  made  annual 
contributions  for  missionary  purposes. 


214  HISTORY    OF    ROCHESTER     PRESBYTERY. 

,': 

Society  of  Christian  Endeavor :  A.  Young  People's 
S'ociety  of  Christian  Endeavor  was  organized  in  January, 
1888,  which  has  increased  to  about  90  members  and  is 
d'oing  very  effective  work  for  the  Master. 

Missionaries:  In  1855,  the  Presbytery  of  Ontario 
ordained  at  this  place  two  members  of  this  church,  the  Rev. 
Orson  P.  Allen,  as  a  foreign  missionary,  who  immediately 
sailed  to  Kharpoot,  Turkey,  and  the  Rev.  Herman  N.  Barnum, 
D.  D.,  as  a  home  missionary.  Mr.  Barnum  followed  Mr. 
Allen  to  Kharpoot  in  about  two  years,  where  the  two  have 
been  associated  as  missionaries  up  to  the  present  time. 

Another  member,  Frank  Gaylord  Weeks,  son  of  Dea. 
Robert  E.  Weeks,  was  ordained  as  a  home  missionary,  Nov. 
3,  1885,  and  since  that  time  has  labored  in  Minnesota. 

Revivals :  The  larger  additions  have  been  in  the  follow- 
ing years:  1816,  forty-two;  1822,  eighty-four;  1831-5, 
one  hundred  and  fifty-seven ;  1839,  forty-five ;  1843,  fifty- 
three;  1848,  forty-seven;  1853,  twenty-nine;  1856,  sixty- 
seven  :  1858,  thirty-one  ;  1864,  forty-one  ;  1870,  forty-one  ; 
1878,  fifty-two  ;  and  1882,  thirty-two. 

,  Religious  Society :  The  First  Presbyterian  Society  was 
incorporated  about  the  year  1816.  The  first  trustees  were 
Wm.  A.  Mills,  Elislia  Parmerlee,  Phineas  Lake,  Jerediah 
Jlorsford  and  Luman  Stanley. 

Church  Buildings :  The  church  was  organized  in  a  school 
house  located  upon  the  west  side  of  what  was  then  an  open 
square,  and  about  thirty  rods  to  the  south-east  of  where  the 
present  church  stands. 

The  first  church  edifice  was  64  by  44,  located  on  the  north 
pide  of  the  square  and  dedicated  in  January,  1832,  Rev.  S. 
.fl.  Gridley,  then  of  Perry,  preaching  the  sermon.  In  1841, 
|this  building  was  moved  about  twenty  rods  south  and 
enlarged,  a  separate  lecture  room,  40  by  24,  being  erected  at 
.the  same  time  a  short  distance  to  the  east.  Both  these 
[buildings  were  destroyed  by  fire,  September  29,  1852. 


HISTORY    OF    ROCHESTER    PRESliYTEfeY.  215 

Tlie  present  l)inlding,  80  by  52,  was  erected  about  forty  rods 
west  of  the  former  one,  and  dedicated,  February  1st,  1855. 
Ilev.  Darwin  Chicliesterpreacliingtlie  sermon.  The  present 
lecture  room,  24  by  40,  was  built  in  I860. 

Preshyterial  Relation  :  This  church  was  received  by  the 
Presbytery  of  Geneva,  P'ebruary  12,  1817,  and  after  the 
organization  of  the  Presbytery  of  Ontario  in  March,  1818, 
was  transferred  to  that  body,  which  it  followed  when  the 
same  became  a  part  of  the  present  Presbytery  of  Rochester 
in  1870. 

A  history  of  this  church  written  by  Rev.  Darwin  Chiches- 
ter was  published  in  1855,  and  another  written  by  the 
present  pastor  was  published  in  1876. 


MOUNT  MORRIS  SECOND. 

The  Second  Presl>yterian  Church  of  Mount  Morris,  was 
organized  by  a  committee  of  the  Presbytery  of  Ontario,  in 
1830,  and  received  under  its  care  in  January,  1831.  Among 
its  original  members  were  Moses  Marvin  and  Ann,  his  wife, 
Harriet  Speas,  Fanny  Roland  and  Anna  Sharp. 

Sylvester  Richmond  and  Lucy,  his  wife,  and  Milo  H. 
Maltbie  and  Jerusha,  his  wife,  united  soon  after  the  organiza- 
tion. 

Rev.  Elam  Walker  was  the  first  minister,  whose  labors 
were  greatly  blessed.  He  was  followed  by  Rev.  Messrs. 
Hall,  Ward  and  Lindley. 

The  ruling  elders  were  Moses  Marvin,  Sylvester  Roland 
and  Clark  Mather. 

The  deacons  were  Moses  Marvin  and  Sylvester  Roland. 

The  church  maintained  a  prayer  meeting,  also  a  Sabbath 
school,  of  which  Sylvester  Roland  and  J.  McCreery  were 
superintendents. 


21<1  HISTORY    OF    ROCHESTER    PRESBYTERY. 

The  largest  number  of  members  at  any  one  time  was 
about  fifty. 

This  society  never  erected  a  church  edifice,  but  united 
with  a  school  district  in  the  erection  of  a  house,  which  waS 
used  both  for  church  and  school  purposes,  and  which  w^as 
situated  five  miles  south  of  Mount  Morris  village,  on  the 
west  side  of  the  State  road. 

Owing  to  the  organization  of  a  Dutch  Reformed  churcli 
in  that  neighborhood,  this  church  was  disl)anded  about  the 
year  1839. 


NUXDA. 

The  First  Presbyterian  Church  of  Nunda,  is  situated  in 
the  village  of  Nunda,  tow^n  of  Nunda,  county  of  Living- 
ston, state  of  New  York. 

It  was  organized  October  6tli,  1831,  in  a  school  house 
near  Deacon  Wisner's,  two  miles  north-east  of  the  present 
site.  Services  were  held  here  and  in  the  Page  school  house 
about  half  a  mile  east  of  the  village  for  two  years.  The 
following  ministers  and  elders  Avere  present  at  the  organiza- 
tion : 

Ministers :  Robert  Hubbard,  Abel  Caldwell,  Ludovicus 
Robbins. 

Elders :     Joseph  Waldo,  Silas  Olmstead. 

The  number  uniting  in  tliis  organization  was  fourteen  ; 
ten  by  letter  and  four  by  profession. 

By  letter :  John  Cliapin,  Clarrissa  Chapin,  Jas.  Patter- 
son, Sarah  Patterson,  Zaddock  Herrick,  Betsey  Herrick, 
Eliza  Gay,  Mille  Pierce,  Celestia  J.  Hills  and  Abraham 
Van  Sickle. 

By  profession  :  Sillali  Lee,  Lueinda  Puotli,  AVilliam  \l 
Duryee  and  Larry  Duryee. 

Until  May  21,  1835,  i.  e.  for  four  years,  they  conformed 
mostly  to  Congregational   usages,  transacting  their  business 


HISTORY    OF    KOCHKSTKR     I'KKSIJYTKRV.  217 

by  church  meetings.  It  does  not  appear  that  they  elected 
any  otiicers  until  August  25,  1833,  when  David  Shager  and 
John  Chapin  were  elected  deacons,  tlie  latter  declinir\g. 

At  a  meeting  on  May  25,  1835,  the  organization  was  per- 
fected by  the  election  of  six  elders  and  four  deacons. 

Elders  for  one  year :     Samuel  Swain  and  Kussell  Barnes. 

For  two  years  :     Elihu  Dickinson,  Ephraim  Smith. 

For  three  years :     John  Chapin,  Abraham  Burgess. 

Deacons  :  G.  Wing,  David  Thayer,  Erastus  Buck,  Josiah 
Bhelps. 

The  church  was  under  the  care  of  the  Presbytery  of 
Angelica  until  October  8,  1844,  when  by  an  act  of  Synod 
it  was  transferred  to  the  Presbytery  of  Ontario. 

It  had  been  the  custom  of  the  church  to  meet  its  expenses 
by  taxing  the  property  of  the  church  and  society.  Those 
not  agreeing  to  this  plan  gave  by  subscription.  It  was  a 
difficulty  growing  out  of  this  plan  of  taxation  and  refusal 
to  pay  resulting  in  a  case  of  discipline,  which  went  to  Pres- 
bytery and  Synod,  that  finally  led  to  the  transfer  of  the 
church  to  the  Ontario  Presbytery,  though  an  underlying 
cause  was  O.  S.  and  N.  S.  differences. 

Church  huildings :  In  1833,  the  lirst  church  building  was 
erected  on  the  corner  of  East  and  Church  streets  at  a  cost 
of  about  $2,200.  Those  most  prominent  in  the  enterprise 
were  S.  Swain,  N.  Chandler,  G.  Wing.  Up  to  this  time, 
the  church  had  had  only  one-half  of  the  minister's  time  ; 
now  he  gave  them  his  full  time.  In  1846,  they  sold  their 
old  church  building  to  the  M.  E.  society,  and  began  the 
erection  of  the  present  building.  To  Mr.  Alfred  Bell,  now 
of  Ptochester,  is  accredited  an  especial  influence  in  orginating 
and  aiding  the  work  of  constructing  this  second  and  commo- 
dious house  of  worship. 

The  cost  of  construction  was  about  $6,000,  and  is  of  wood, 
50  by  80,  with  a  seating  capacity  of  650.  It  was  dedicated 
June,  1847,  by  Rev.  Edwards  ;\[arsh,  a  former  pastor. 


218  HISTORY    OP'    ROCHESTER     PRESBYTERY. 

Session  house :  The  first  session  house  was  built  in  1838. 
on  the  present  site  of  the  parsonage,  at  a  cost  of  |800.  The 
upper  story  of  this  was  for  years  used  for  school  purposes. 
It  was  sold  in  1872  for  $600,  and  the  site  used  for  a  parson- 
age. 

The  present  chapel  was  built  in  1886,  in  the  rear  of  the 
church,  and  combines  kitchen,  etc.,  being  used  for  socia^ 
gatherings  as  well  as  for  prayer  and  church  meetings.  Mr. 
Alfred  Bell  again  stepped  forward  with  a  generous  gift. 
Cost  of  erection,  $1,000. 

Parsonage :  This  was  built  by  contract  by  F.  I).  Lake, 
at  a  cost  of  $3,000. 

Before  proceeding  to  give  the  succession  of  pastors  and 
elders  it  is  proper  to  state  that  the  churches  of  Nunda  and 
Oakland,  the  latter  being  O.  S.,  were  united  by  action  of  the 
Presbytery  of  Rochester,  at  Dansville,  the  13th  of  Sep- 
tember, 1871,  by  request  of  both  churches,  so  that  "  The 
members  of  the  church  of  Oakland  were  added  to  the 
church  of  Nunda." 


Ludovicus  Robbins,  October,  1831-32. 

Wm.  P.  Kendrick,  October  25,  1832-33. 

Asa  Johnson,  S.  S.,  three  months.  Installed  February 
26, 1834-37. 

Wales  Tileston,  P.,  November,  1837,  May  13,  1840. 

Edwards  Marsh,  S.  S.,  1840-46.  Installed  March, 
1846-47. 

Wm.  Lusk,  P.,  June  7,  1847,  to  February  26,  1852. 

Pliny  F.  Sanborne,  S.  S.,  December  11,  1852,  to  May 
1857.  ' 

Levi  G.  Marsh,  S.  S.,  June,  1857,  to  September,  1860. 

Ira  O.  De  Long,  S.  S.,  1860-63. 

Levi  G.  Marsh,  P.,  February  9,  1864,  to  December,  1871. 

T.  Dwightllunt,  P.,  February,  1872,  to  September,  1875. 


History  of  rochestkr  pkksijytkry.  219 

Bentley  S.  Foster,  P.,  March  1,  1876,  to  June  1,  1879. 

Newton  H.  Bell,  March  1,  188U,  to  September  14,  1884. 

John  V.  C.  Nellis,  Ph.  D.,  P.,  October  80,  1884,  to  July 
1,  1888. 

John  M.  Carniichael,  P.  E.,  November  17,  1889. 

Elders:  Samuel  Swain,  Russell  Barnes,  one  year; 
Elihu  Dickinson,  Ephraim  Smith,  two  years  ;  John  Chapin, 
Abraham  Burgess,  three  years ;  May  21,  1835.  Erastus 
Buck,  1838 ;  Wm.  R.  Duryee,  May  21,  1839  ;  Charles  W. 
King,  June  23,  1840 ;  Jos.  Waldo,  December  31,  1841  ; 
Chas.  V.  Craven,  Stephen  Baldwin,  Earl  J.  Payne,  January 
10,  1846  ;  Alfred  Bell,  John  Gilmore,  George  H.  Bailey, 
March  5, 1864 ;  J.  BrinkerhofE,  Chas.  T.  Metcalf,  December 
31,  1870 ;  Adam  Potts,  Geo.  Arnold,  James  M.  McNair, 
July  6,  1872  ;  John  T.  Yan  Ness,  May  6, 1876  ;  Arnold  G. 
Galley,  Augustus  C.  Dodge,  Clement  J.  McNair,  June  18, 
1881. 

Deacons:  David  Shager,  August  25,  1833;  Wm.  R. 
Duryee,  July  2,  1836 ;  Zaddock  Herrick,  September  4, 
1837  ;  Chauncy  Ladd,  May  21, 1839  ;  John  Briggs,  Decem- 
ber 31, 1841 ;  Chas.  Y.  Craven,  Erastus  Buck,  January  10, 
1846 ;  Geo.  H.  Bailey,  A.  B.  Lockwood,  March  6,  1864 ; 
C.  T.  Metcalf,  April  8,  1871. 

Revivals :  Of  revivals  there  have  been  three  of  very 
marked  power.  The  first  under  Rev.  Asa  Johnson,  con- 
.ducted  by  the  evangelist,  Littlejohn.  This  was  in  1837.  The 
second  under  Rev.  Wales  Tileston  in  1840,  when  97  were 
received  into  the  church  on  profession  of  faith.  The  third 
under  Rev.  Edward  Marsh  in  1843,  when  56  were  received. 
The  fourth  under  Rev.  L.  G.  Marsh  in  1858,  when  30  were 
received.  The  lifth  under  Elder  Knapp  in  1872,  when  25 
were  received.  There  have  been  other  seasons  of  quickening, 
but  none  of  especial  note.  The  whole  number  uniting  with 
the  church  since  its  organization  has  been  about  934.  Six- 
teen for  each  year  of  the  church's  existence. 


220  HISTORY    OF    ROCHESTER    PRESBYTERY. 


OAKLAND. 

Tlie  Presbyterian  Church  of  Oakland  was  organized 
Sunday,  Dec.  5,  1819,  by  Rev.  Elihu  Mason,  of  Mount 
Morris,  with  the  following  members :  Arad  French  and 
Lucinda  French,  Richard  W.  Robinson  and  Charlotte 
Robinson,  Mrs.  Laura  Strong,  Wm.  Totten,  Enoch  Miller, 
Mrs.  Rosanna  Marks,  Mrs.  Hannah  Moses,  Samuel  Swain, 
and  Mrs.  Elisabeth  Tuthill. 

Elders :  Arad  French,  R.  W.  Robinson,  Samuel  Swain. 

Deacon  :  Arad  f^rench. 

Mr.  French  was  chosen  clerk  also,  and  served  in  this 
office  for  over  twenty  years,  and  it  is  added,  kept  a  model 
record.  Jan.  18,  1820,  the  church  became  a  member  of  the 
Presbytery  of  Ontario,  as  the  church  of  Nunda.  To  this 
church  Mr.  Mason  ministered  for  about  two  and  a  half 
years  and  then  Rev.  John  Lindsley  became  pastor  in  the 
spring  of  1822,  and  although  he  gave  up  his  charge  in  1828 
he  continued  to  live  at  Oakhill  until  his  death,  which 
occurred  Dec.  4,  1838.  He  had  the  reputation  of  being  "  a 
deep  thinker  and  a  vei"y  exemplary  man.''  He  was  a 
native  of  Connecticut,  and  though  an  old  man  he  was  a 
missionary  in  western  New  York,  where  his  name  is  found 
in  the  history  of  most  of  the  old  churches.  In  1828 
Phineas  Smith,  a  licentiate,  supplied  the  pulpit,  and  though 
the  church  numbered  more  than  100  members  they  had  no 
building,  but  continued  to  worship  in  school  houses  and 
barns  at  Oakhill  and  Hunt's  Hollow. 

Though  these  two  churches  had  separate  organizations 
until  1848,  when  the  church  at  Hunt's  Hollow  was  merged 
in  that  of  the  O.  S.  at  Oakland,  under  the  Presbytery 
of  Wyoming,  they  were  ministered  to  by  the  same 
pastors  or  preachers.  They  are  mentioned  together,  they 
seem  to  have  been  organized  at  the  same  time  and  by  the 


HfSTORV    OK    ROOHKSTKK    PRKSBYTKKV.  ^'2 1 

same  man,  llev.  Eliliu  Mason,  and  joined  the  Ontario 
Presbytery  at  the  same  ineeting.  The  records  of  the  church 
Hunt's  Hollow,  if  they  ever  had  any  separate  minutes,  have 
been  lost.  In  1830  they  built  a  church  at  Hunt's  Hollow. 
The  church  then  became  a  member  of  the  Presbytery  of 
Angelica. 

In  1827  a  church  was  organized  in  Portageville,  and  in 
1831  in  Nunda,  and  though  these  both  drew  from  the  church 
at  Hunt's  Hollow,  yet  it  prospered  and  grew  until  1835, 
when  it  reached  its  highest  membership,  130. 

In  1848  they  sold  their  church  and  parsonage  to  the 
Baptists  for  $800  and  uniting  with  the  O.  S.  of  Nunda, 
formed  the  church  of  Oakland  and  joined  the  Presbytery 
of  Wyoming.  In  1850  they  built  a  church  and  session 
room  in  Oakland,  which  was  dedicated  Oct.  3,  1850. 

Succession  of  pastors  and  stated  supplies  of  these 
organizations  up  to  the  time  of  the  organization  of 
the  O.  S.  church  in  1848  :  Elihu  Mason,  1819-22  ; 
John  Lindsley,  1822-28  ;  Abel  Caldwell,  1829-37 ;  Leonard 
Rogers,  1837-40;  Abram  C.  DuBois,  1840-41;  Abel 
Caldwell,  1841-42 ;  Lewis  Hamilton,  1843-44  ;  John  M. 
Bear,  1845-47. 

Succession  of  pastors  and  stated  supplies  in  the  O.  S, 
church  in  Oakland,  up  to  the  time  of  union  with  the  First 
church  in  Nunda,  1871  :  Richard  Kay,  1848-52  ;  Isaac 
Oakes,  1852-57 ;  Wm.  Hall,  1857-58 ;  H.  B.  Thayer, 
1858-60;  Pliny  Twitchell,  1861-64;  E.  W.  Kellogg, 
1864-68;  R.  W.  McCormick,  1868-69;  L.  G.  Marsh, 
1870-71. 

The  elders  in  the  church  of  Oakland  at  the  time  of 
organization,  1848  :  G.  Wing,  David  W.  Thayer,  Silas 
Olmstead,  E.  S.  Olmstead,  J.  Preston,  J,  B.  Hewitt. 

Deacons,  W.  T.  Totten,  Tracy  Ensworth. 

During  the  fifty  years  of  their  existence  there  were  about 
450  names  on  their  records. 


222  HISTORY    OF    ROCHESTER    PRESBYTERY. 

OGDEK 

The  early  records  of  this  church  are  scanty  and  defective, 
and  all  that  can  be  gathered  and  offered  from  them  is  a 
bare  outline  of  its  history. 

The  First  Presbyterian  Church  of  Ogden  was  organized, 
by  whom  or  in  what  manner  is  not  recorded,  in  the  year 
1811,  with  ten  members,  namely,  Samuel  Davis,  Daniel 
Arnold,  James  Ferrington,  Josiah  Mather,  Jabes  Busley, 
Phebe  Finch,  Lydia  ^Mitchell,  Betsey  Nichols,  and  two 
names  not  giv^en. 

The  iirst  deacons  were  Samuel  Davis  and  Josiah  Mather ; 
and  the  first  ruling  elders  were  Sylvanus  Willey,  Diodati 
Lord,  Charles  Church,  Austin  Spencer,  H.  D.  Vrooui  and 
A.  Norton. 

Of  those  who  served  this  church  as  its  ministers  dui-ing 
the  first  seven  years  of  its  existence  we  have  no  record  ;  but 
from  that  date  forward  the  following  were  the  successive 
occupants  of  its  pulpit,  either  as  pastors  or  stated  supplies : 

Rev.  Ebenezer  Evei-ett,  pastor,  from  1819-22. 

Rev.  Avelyn  Sedgwick,  pastor,  from  1824-33. 

Rev.  John  Carle,  stated  supply,  during  1833  and  ISol. 

Rev.  Conway  P.  Wing,  pastor,  from  1835-38. 

Rev.  Avelyn  Sedgwick,  pastor,  from  1838-49. 

Rev,  Charles  Jerome,  stated  supply,  part  of  1849. 

Rev.  Darwin  Chichester,  stated  supply,  in  1850. 

Rev.  Edward  Perkin,  stated  supply,  in  1850. 

Rev.  Mr.  Ely,  stated  supply,  in  1851. 

Rev.  William  A.  Fox,  pastor,  from  1851-65. 

Rev.  Alexander  McA.  Thorburn,  pastor,  from  1865-82. 

Rev.  A.  S.  Hoyt,  pastor,  from  1883- 8S. 

Rev.  Glenroie  McQueen,  is  the  present  ineumljent  of  the 
pulpit. 

This  church  has  been  favored  with  many  precious  revivals, 
the  most  notable  of  wliieli  occurred  in  the  following  years. 


HISTORY    OF    KOOHKSTEK     I'RESBYIERY.  2*J3 

resulting  in   the  number  of  converts  set  opposite    thereto 
respectively : 

Kevival  of  1827,  converted  63  ;  revival  of  1831,  converted 
131 ;  revival  of  1S34,  converted  14  ;  revival  of  1836,  con- 
verted 44;  revival  of  1838,  converted  17  ;  revival  of  1840, 
converted  59  ;  revival  of  1843,  converted  33  ;  revival  of 
1853,  converted  69  ;  revival  of  1858,  converted  25  ;  revival 
of  1866,  con-v^erted  28;  revival  of  1869,  converted  30; 
revival  of  1874,  converted  47  ;  revival  of  1878,  converted  21. 

Of  the  members  of  this  church,  four  have  become  minis- 
ters of  the  gospel,  namely,  Kelson  E.  Spencer,  Ephraim 
Strong,  Francis  W.  Lord  and  John  Q.  Adams. 

The  Sabbath  school  of  the  Church  of  Ogden  was 
organized  in  the  year  1819  ;  and  those  who  have  been 
received  as  members  to  communion  with  the  church,  during 
the  last  thirty -five  years,  have  been  largely  from  those  who 
have  been  taught  the  Word  of  God  therein. 

A  "  Woman's  Missionary  Society,"  was  organized  in  this 
church  in  September,  1872,  which  at  first  was  connected 
with  the  Philadelphia  Board,  but  in  March,  1885,  was  trans- 
ferred to  that  of  New  York. 

A  "Christian  Endeavor  Society  "  also  was  organized  in 
December,  1886.  This  now  numbers  50  active  and  some 
25  associate  members  ;  these  hold  general  meetings  weekly, 
and  consecration  meetings  monthly.  This  society  has 
already  been  the  means  of  great  good  among  the  young  in 
the  congregation  ;  twelve  of  its  associate  members  have 
united  with  the  church  during  the  past  year. 

The  first  house  of  worship  OM-ned  by  this  congregation 
was  built  in  1823 ;  its  dimensions  being  40  feet  by  50  feet. 
This  served  them  until  the  year  1849,  when  it  was  enlarged 
and  improved  at  an  expense  of  $2,723.  This  house  was 
again  thoroughly  repaired  in  1868,  and  a  Sabbath  school 
iuid  lecture  room  added  to  it,  costing  altogether  $3,343.  In 
1887,  the  church  and  lecture  room  were  once  more  thor- 


224  HISTORY    OF    ROCHESTER     PRESBYTERY. 

oughly  repaired  and  refnniisbed  at  an  expenditure  of 
$1,206. 

The  present  ruling  elders  are  :  James  N.  Arnold,  W.  W. 
Nichols,  George  Conistock,  Horace  Rann,  William  Lowery. 

The  present  Board  of  Trustees  are  :  Lewis  Corser,  Henry 
Yannest,  John  Kincaid,  Henry  S.  Dyer,  Horace  Rann, 
and  Charles  Smith. 


OSSIAK 

The  Presbyterian  Clinreh  of  Ossian  was  organized  by 
Rev.  Robert  Hnbbard  in  1818,  with  the  following  members  : 
James  Haynes,  Mary  Haynes,  Thomas  Lemon,  Jane  Lemon, 
Minerva  Faulkner,  Mrs.  Rlioda  Clendenin,  Timothy  Osborne 
and  wife,  and  Addison  Sill,  and  probably  a  few  others  whose 
names  cannot  be  positively  given. 

The  first  elders  were  James  Haynes  and  Addison  Sill. 

The  Rev.  Robert  Hubbard  supplied  the  pulpit  from  the 
time  the  church  was  organized  until  1880.  Other  ministers 
succeeded  him  as  follows : 

Rev.  Ludovicus  Robins  for  one  year. 

Rev.  William  P.  Kendrick  for  two  years. 

Rev.  David  Gushing  for  two  years. 

Rev.  Jacob  H.  Endress  for  two  years. 

Rev.  Dwight  Twitchell  for  three  years. 

Rev.  John  A.  Littlejohn  for  one  year. 

Rev. Darling  for  two  years. 

Rev.  Nathan  Hammond  for  six  years. 

Rev. Richardson  for  one  year. 

Rev. Hard  for  one  year. 

Rev.  Willis  Clark  Gay  lord  for  one  year. 

Rev. Calkins  for  three  months. 

Rev.  Boyd  for  three  months. 


HISTORY    OF    ROCHESTER    PRESHYTKRY.  225 

Rev.  James  H.  Board  for  six  years. 
Rev.  Janies  L.  Box  for  three  years. 
Rev.  George  W.  Craig  for  two  years. 
Rev.  William  C.  Brass  for  two  years. 

The  Sabbath  school  was  organized  soon  after  the  organi- 
zation of  the  cliurch,  and  has  been  sustained  the  most  of  the 
time  since. 

The  present  superintendent  is  Isaac  Hampton,  who  has 
been  superintendent  most  of  the  time  for  tlie  last  twenty- 
five  years. 

There  have  been  special  revivals  as  follows  :  In  1840, 
about  forty  were  received  ;  1855,  ten  ;  1875,  eight ;  and  in 
1878,  twenty-two. 

The  church  edifice  was  erected  in  1835,  its  dimensions 
being  30  by  42,  and  costing  $300.  In  1878  it  was  enlarged  by 
an  addition  of  twelve  feet  to  its  length,  and  the  building 
was  renovated  at  an  expense  of  $1,500,  at  which  time  it  was 
re-dedicated,  the  Rev.  Levi  Parsons,  of  Mount  Morris,  N.  Y., 
preaching  the  sermon. 

The  present  elders  are  Jacob  Clendenin,  David  McCurdy, 
and  Matthias  Rolison. 

The  first  trustees  were  Jacob  Clendenin,  Timothy 
Osborne  and  Thomas  Lemon. 

The  present  trustees  are  Freeman  Court,  Mansfield  More, 
Edward  Burrill,  John  Scott  and  Lemuel  Price. 

Present  number  of  members,  42. 

This  cliurch  was  received  under  the  care  of  the  Presbytery 
of  (3ntario,  June  10,  1868. 

Mr.  Hotchkin,  referring  to  this  church,  says  :  "  For  many 
years  the  church  was  small  and  feeble,  and  enjoyed  very 
little  ministerial  aid,  except  an  occasional  service  from  Rev. 
Robert  Hubbard,  who  had  the  charge  of  two  extended 
congregations.  The  church  is  uniformly  with  one  exception 
reported  vacant  until  1837.  On  the  13th  of  September,  of 
that  year,  Rev.   Ashbel    Otis  was   ordained   and  installed 


226  HISTORY    OF    ROCHESTER    PRESBYTERY. 

pastor  of  the  cliurch.  On  account  of  the  failure  of  his  healtli 
he  was  dismissed  February  26,  1839.  The  church  has  since 
been  reported  as  having  a  stated  supply,  but  the  name  is  not 
given.  In  1832,  twenty-five  members  were  reported  as 
having  the  preceding  year  united  with  the  church  by  pro- 
fession. These  were  the  fruits  of  a  revival  enjoyed  by  the 
church.  The  years  1837  and  1840  were  also  years  of 
revival. 

"  In  looking  at  the  reports  of  the  American  Home  Mis- 
sionary Society."  the  author  finds  the  names  of  Rev.  Messrs. 
Ludovicus  Robbins,  William  P.  Kendrick,  Robert  Hubbard, 
Ashbel  Otis  and  A.  0.  Dubois,  as  missionaries  appointed  to 
labor  on  this  field  at  different  periods." 


PARMA  CENTER. 


This  clnirch  was  organized  March  4,  1829,  by  a 
commission  of  the  Presbytery  of  Rochester,  consisting  of 
three  ministers.  Rev.  Joseph  Penny,  D.  D.,  Rev.  Ohauncey 
Cook  and  Rev.  Abelyn  Sedgwick,  and  two  lay  delegates, 
Mr.  John  Arnold,  and  Mr.  John  Granger. 

The  original  members,  all  of  whom  presented  letters  from 
different  churches,  were  the  following:  Daniel  Clark, 
Daniel  Clark,  Jr.,  Emilia  Clark,  Orpha  Clark,  Clarissa 
Patterson,  Harriet  VanSise,  Nicholas  Kipp,  Nancy  Kipp, 
Jane  Post,  Isabel  VanTuyl,  Hannah  Pulis,  Phebe  Gager, 
Lucius  Peck,  Abby  Peck. 

Of  these,  Daniel  Clark,  Nicholas  Kipp  and  Lucius  Peck 
were  elected  and  ordained  as  ruling  elders ;  while  the  first 
two  were  also  named  to  discharge  the  special  duties  of 
deacons.  The  organization  services  were  liad  in  the 
Atcheson  school-house. 


HISTORY    OF    ROCHESTER    PRESBYTERY.  227 

The  lirst  house  of  worship  owned  by  this  church  was 
erected  in  1831,  which  for  some  time  served  both  as  a 
churcli  and  a  town  house.  The  ground  on  which  this 
edilice  stood  was  donated  to  the  congregation  by  Mr. 
Roswell  Atcheson. 

At  first  the  pulpit  was  occupied  by  such  chance  supplies 
as  could  be  ol)tained.  In  1832,  Rev.  Silas  Pratt  is  named 
in  the  records  as  being  their  stated  preaclier,  and  the 
number  of  members  is  said  to  have  been  73.  During  the 
year  1833,  Eev.  Samuel  Griswold  and  the  Rev.  Richard 
De  Forest  each  preached  for  a  few  months.  Toward  the  close 
of  this  year,  Rev.  Chandler  Bates  was  engaged  to  preach, 
whose  ministery  extended  through  a  period  of  some  three 
years.  In  1837,  the  church  secured  the  services  of  Rev. 
Beaufort  Ladd,  who  remained  with  them  about  two  years. 
In  1840,  Rev.  William  P.  Kendrick  was  called  to  occupy 
the  pulpit,  whose  ministry  was  also  limited  to  a  term  of  two 
years. 

Tlie  Rev.  Chandler  Bates,  a  former  pastor,  continued  a 
resident  in  the  town  and  gratuitously  served  the  church  at 
various  intervals,  to  the  end  of  his  life.  And  Mrs.  Bates, 
like  her  faithful  consort,  wliom  she  survived,  loved  the 
church  to  the  last,  leaving  it  a  handsome  legacy  when  she 
followed  him  and  went  to  her  rest  and  reward. 

In  the  spring  of  1842,  Rev.  Slnibael  Carver  became  the 
minister  of  Parma  Church.  He  M^as  an  Oberlin  man,  and 
held  the  doctrine  of  Christian  perfection,  and  by  his  way 
of  presenting  this,  created  a  division  in  the  church,  when 
he  had  been  its  preacher  but  a  few  weeks.  At  this  time 
the  members  numbered  61,  of  whom  24  became  his  avowed 
adherents,  and  managed  to  get  and  keep  possession  of  the 
building.  Shortly  after  this  rupture,  these  formed  them- 
selves into  a  Congregational  cliurch,  which,  however, 
survived  only  three  years. 

During   the  continuance   of   these   troubles,  those   who 


228  HISTORY    OF    ROCHESTER    PRESBYTERY. 

remained  firm  Presbyterians  worshipped  in  different  school 
houses  until  1844,  when  a  substantial  house  of  worship  was 
built,  which  still  remains  and  is  in  fact  the  one  now 
occupied  by  the  congregation.  Tnis  was  erected  by  great 
sacrifice  and  self-denial.  The  site  was  donated  by  the  Rev. 
Mr.  Bates,  and  the  building  was  put  up  almost  entirely  by 
the  joint  labors  of  the  members.  While  the  male  members 
hewed  the  timbers,quarried  the  stone  and  drew  the  materials 
to  the  spot,  the  female  members  came  together  to  knit  and 
sew,  to  win  what  funds  they  could,  and  those  outside  the 
pale  of  the  chnrcli,  catching  the  general  spirit  of  activity 
and  co-operation  which  prevailed,  came  forward  and  helped 
on  the  work.  Thus,  b}'  the  fall,  the  house  was  completed 
without  a  dollar  of  debt.  The  erection  of  the  church  was 
accomplished  during  the  ministry  of  Rev.  Daniel  Johnson, 
which  extended  over  a  period  of  four  years.  This  worthy 
man  was  succeeded  by  the  Rev.  George  Freeman,  who 
served  the  church  about  six  years. 

In  1850,  the  church  had  on  its  roll  59  members  ;  but  ten 
years  later  we  find  that  it  had  declined  to  55, 

In  1856,  the  pulpit  was  occupied  by  Rev.  H.  G.  Miles; 
and  from  1 858  to  1861,  by  Rev.  J,  H,  Phelps,  Early 
in  1862,  Rev,  Edwin  Allen  became  the  minister,  who  con- 
tinued his  labors  nearly  five  years,  and  under  his  preaching 
36  members  were  added  to  the  church.  From  1867  to 
1870,  Rev,  A,  G.  Wilcox  was  the  preacher  ;  in  1870 
and  1871,  Rev,  Joshua  D,  Lane;  in  1872,  Mr.  Lewis  H. 
Morey  and  Mr.  George  Smith,  both  students  ;  in  1873,  Rev. 
E.  W.  Kellogg. 

In  1874,  a  call  was  given  to  the  Rev.  George  C.  Jewel, 
who  was  ordained  and  installed,  and  continued  the  pastor 
for  four  years.  He  was  succeeded  by  Rev.  I).  W.  Marvin, 
who  remained  two  years.  Then  followed  a  number  of 
transient  supplies.  In  1880,  Rev.  G,  L,  Hamilton  became 
the  preacher,  whose  labors  extended  through  a  period  of 
one  year.     Then  the  Rev.  William  G.  Hul)bard  M-as  called, 


HISTORY    OF    ROCHESTER    PRESBYTERY.  220 

who,  Nov.  3,  1881,  was  histalled,  and  held  the  office 
of  pastor  for  a  term  of  two  years  and  a  half.  From  the 
time  of  his  departure,  Rev.  Theodore  B.  Williiuns,  who  was 
settled  at  Charlotte,  engaged  to  preach  to  them  on  Sabbath 
afternoons,  which  he  continued  to  do  down  to  June,  1885. 
For  the  next  succeeding  eight  months  the  pulpit  was 
supplied  by  a  student  from  the  Rochester  Theological 
Seminary. 

In  November  of  1886,  Rev.  G.  L.  Hamilton,  for  the 
second  time,  became  the  preacher,  and  though  residing  in 
Rochester,  continues  to  be  the  stated  supply  down  to  the 
present  time. 

The  membership  is  now  reduced  to  27,  but  the  congre- 
gation owns  a  parsonage  and  owes  no  debts. 


PENFIELD. 


The  First  Presbyterian  Church  of  Pentield  (originally 
Northfield,  embracing  the  present  towns  of  Perrinton,  Pitts. 
ford,  Henrietta,  Brighton,  Irondequoit,  Penfield,  Webster, 
and  that  part  of  the  City  of  Rochester  lying  east  of  the 
Genesee  River,)  was  organized  by  Rev.  Reuben  Parmele, 
pastor  of  the  Victor  church,  on  February  7,  1800,  and  was 
received  into  connection  with  the  Ontario  Association,  June 
10,  1806,  and  continued  such  connection  until  the  dissolu- 
tion of  that  body.  It  was  organized  a  Congregational  church, 
with  fifteen  members :  Elislia  Sheldon,  Sarah  Sheldon, 
Huldah  White,  Abraham  Bronson,  Mary  Bronson,  Thomas 
Brooks,  Esther  Brooks,  William  Spears,  Love  Spears,  Daniel 
Wilson,  Esther  Wilson,  Josiali  Kellogg,  Rachel  Perrin 
and  John  Stroger.  It  is  claimed  that  prior  to  the  above 
date  a  Congregational  church  had  been  gathered  which 
continued  until  merged  in  this  new  organization. 

Josiah  Kellogg  and  Thomas  Brooks  were  elected  the  first 
deacons  of  this  new  organization. 


230  HISTORY    OF    ROCHESTER    PRESBYTERY. 

Ill  the  beginning  of  the  year  1814,  the  church  adopted 
the  Presbyterian  form  of  government,  and  was  received 
into  the  Presbytery  of  Geneva,  April  19,  1814.  From  this 
Presbytery  it  was  transferred  to  the  Presbytery  of  Ontario, 
and  subsequently  to  the  Presbytery  of  Rochester,  on  the 
erection  of  those  Presbyteries.  February  13,  1850,  the 
church  joined  the  Buffalo  Presbytery.  It  was  set  off  to  the 
Rochester  Presbj^tery,  Oct.  7,  1851,  and  received  by  that 
body  June  2,  1857. 

During  the  two  years  succeeding  the  organization, 
twenty -nine  members  were  added  to  the  church.  Under 
Mr.  Carpenter's  ministry  in  1818,  a  precious  season  of 
revival  added  twenty-one  to  its  membership.  In  1825  it 
reported  fifty  eight  as  the  whole  number  of  members.  In 
1831,  thirty-nine  were  added,  and  the  whole  number,  107; 
in  1837,  100  members.  During  its  existence  of  more  than 
seventy  years  the  church  was  blest  with  many  revivals. 
At  one  communion  season  forty-one  were  received ;  at 
another,  fifty -two.  From  its  organization  until  1816,  there 
were  no  regular  stated  administrations  of  gospel  ordinances  ; 
the  preaching  of  the  gospel  and  administration  of  sacra- 
ments, was  only  occasional,  but  the  church  maintained 
regular  stated  worship  upon  the  Sabbath.  Its  Sunday 
school  was  at  one  time  large  and  flourishing ;  in  1836  it 
numbered  150  ;  and  in  1838,  156. 

In  1814,  the  first  elders  elected  and  ordained  were 
Thomas  Brooks,  Josiah  J.  Kellogg,  Levi  Warren,  Isaac 
Barnum  and  Gersham  Dunham. 

•  The  following  named  ministers  have  been  in  charge  of 
the  pulpit ;  Rev.  Asa  Carpenter,  1816-25  ;  Rev.  Garret 
Hallenback,  1825-27;  Rev.  Eber  Child,  1828;  Rev.  Lemuel 
Brooks,  Dec,  1828,  and  was  ordained  and  installed  March 
18, 1829,  and  dismissed  Oct.  19,  1830.  After  the  dismission 
of  Mr.  Brooks,  Rev.  Elijah  Buck,  Rev.  Simeon  Peck,  Rev. 
Conrad  Ten  Eyck,  and  Rev.  Moses   Ordway  w^ere  severally 


HISTORY    OF    ROCHESTER     PRESBYTERY.  231 

employed  as  stated  supplies  for  one  year,  or  about  that 
period."  They  were  succeeded  by  Rev.  Albert  G-.  Hall, 
then  a  licentiate,  in  May,  1835,  who  was  ordained  and 
installed  pastor  of  the  church,  Feb.  24,  1836.  Dr.  Hall 
was  dismissed  Feb.  5,  1840.  During  the  pastorate  of  Dr. 
Hall  the  church  enjoyed  its  season  of  greatest  prosperity. 
Its  membership  ranged  from  107  to  160,  its  congregation 
tilling  the  church.  "  The  church  was  aided  by  the  Ameri- 
can Home  Missionary  Society  in  the  support  of  Mr.  Hall." 

Connected  with  its  congregation  and  membership  were 
such  prominent  men  of  their  day  as  Daniel  Penfield,  Hon. 
Henry  Fellows,  Richard  Ely,  Isaac  Raymond,  Alexander 
Canada,  Ralph  Camp,  John  Weaver,  Jacob  B.  Bryan,  John 
Cole,  Julius  Warren,  Leonard  Adams,  Edmond  Parmenter, 
Thomas  Myers,  Ami  Carpenter,  Moses  Wisner,  Levi  Dun- 
can, Daniel  Lewis,  Jacob  Hallenback,  Henry  Ward,  Isaac 
Chichester,  Horace  Bush,  Samuel  Scovil  and  others.  Dr. 
Hall  was  succeeded  by  Rev.  Edward  Ray,  who,  in  1842, 
was  followed  by  Rev.  George  Dele  van,  and  he,  in  1843,  by 
Rev.  Ralph  S.  Crampton,  and  he,  in  1845,  by  Rev. 
John  H.  Young,  and  also  Rev.  Thomas  Bellamy,  1849-53 ; 
Rev.  Allen  McFarland,  1853-57;  Rev.  Alvan  Ingersol, 
1857-58;  Rev.  Royal  Mann,  1858-60;  Rev.  Jeremiah 
Woodruff,  1860-66  :  Rev.  Wm.  W.  Collins,  1866-67  ;  Rev. 
C.  H.  Wheeler,  1867-75  ;  Rev.  Elisha  B.  Sherwood,  tem- 
porarily;   Rev.  Levi  G.  Marsh,  1876. 

In  1828,  dismissions  by  letter  to  form  churches  in  Brighton, 
Perrinton,  Webster,  Pittsford  and  Henrietta,  reduced  the 
membership  to  forty-six.  It  is  remarkable  that  in  so  short 
a  time  this  church  should  have  given  birth  to  so  many  new 
enterprises,  which,  in  the  main  live,  while  the  mother 
church  has  become  extinct,  a  memory  to  be  cherished. 

The  officers  of  the  society  in  1876  were  : 

Elders :  William  Fellows,  Doctor  Thomas  A.  Brown, 
Charles  Leonard. 


232  HISTORY    OF    ROCHESTER    PRESBYTERY. 

Trusiees:  William  Fellows,  James  Harris,  Horace  P. 
Lewis,  George  R.  Leonard,  George  W.  Raymond. 

The  ground  upon  which  the  church  stands  was  donated 
b}'  Daniel  Penlield,  one  of  the  first  settlers  in  the  town. 
The  deed  of  the  conveyance  of  this  piece  of  ground  is 
dated  April  7,  1820.  The  building  was  erected  in  1823, 
and  dedicated  in  1825.  It  was  a  brick  edifice  capable  of 
seating  from  six  to  eight  hundred  persons.  In  1864  it  was 
repaired  at  considerable  expense.  July  26,  1831,  the  prop- 
erty was  sold  by  virtue  of  a  Fi-Fa^  for  $390  and  costs. 
September  19,  1832,  it  was  redeemed  by  Laura  M.  Ely,  a 
judgment  creditor,  and  Dec.  1,  1832,  was  sold  by  her  to 
Leonard  Adams,  Elias  D.  Brooks,  Levi  Warren,  and 
Ralph  Camp,  for  $2,000,  w'ith  the  special  provision  in 
the  deed  of  conveyance,  that  they  covenant  and  agree  that 
it  shall  not  be  disposed  of  for  any  other  purpose,  or  con- 
verted to  any  other  use  than  a  Presbyterian  meeting-house 
so  long  as  there  should  be  a  Presbyterian  society  in  Penfield 
holding  stated  meetings  and  supporting  stated  preaching. 
It  is  stated  that  the  decline  of  the  church  is  largely  due  to 
isolation  from  canal  and  railroad  facilities.  While  the 
church  lived  it  had  been  a  means  of  good,  and  it  died  full 
of  years  and  honor.  In  its  declining  years  it  received 
financial  help  from  the  Board  of  Home  Missions.  Finally, 
being  unable  to  support  public  services,  the  house  was 
closed  and  the  chapel  of  the  church  was  sold,  Feb.  11,  1884, 
for  sixty-five  dollars  and  removed  from  the  ground.  The 
bell  was  donated  to  the  North  Church  in  Rochester.  April  14, 
1884,  and  the  church  with  its  lot  was  deeded  to  Charles  N. 
Leonard,  on  12  December,  1884,  for  live  hundred  dollars,  to 
be  used  by  a  German  Lutheran  Church.  The  proceeds  of  the 
sales,  with  interest  on  them,  was,  by  vote  of  Presbytery,  paid 
on  15th  April,  1886,  one-third  to  each  Board,  the  Home 
Missions,  Foreign  Missions,  and  Church  Erection,  $194.98. 

The  above  sketch  is  compiled  from  an  historical  addi-ess  by  Hon.  C.  M. 
Hawley,  delivered  by  request,  July  2, 1876,  and  from  the  history  by  Rev.  James 
Hotchkin,  and  from  the  records  of  the  church,  on  file  with  the  clerk  of 
Presbytery. 


HIS'I'ORY  OF  ROCHK8TKR  FRKSBVTKRY.         283 


PIFFx\RI). 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  David  L.  Haiglit,  of  New  York,  whose 
daughter,  Mrs.  David  Piftard,  had  settled  in  the  Genesee 
A'' alley,  Livingston  County,  in  1824,  became,  in  consequence 
of  frequent  visits  to  Western  New  York,  greatly  interested  in 
the  welfare  of  the  people  in  the  near  neighborhood  of  lier 
daughter's  home.  Feeling  a  deep  religious  sympathy  with 
those  about  them,  and  bending  with  noble  energy  every 
power  to  the  work,  they  succeeded  in  establishing  a  church 
of  their  OMai  denomination — Protestant  Dutch  Reformed. 
On  the  13th  of  July,  1843,  it  was  duly  constituted  the  Dutch 
Reformed  Church  of  Piffard.  On  the  second  Saturday  of 
September,  1843,  the  corner-stone  was  laid,  with  appropriate 
ceremonies  by  the  Rev.  Dr.  Gustavus  Abeel,  of  Geneva,  N.  Y. 
The  basement  was  soon  afterward  completed  and  the  Rev. 
J.  Haumiond,  of  Mt.  Morris,  was  engaged  to  supjDly  the 
pulpit,  which  he  did  every  Sabbath  until  the  spring  of  1846. 
In  May  of  1846  the  church  edifice  was  completed.  It  was 
solemnly  dedicated  to  the  service  of  the  Triune  God,  on 
Saturday,  August  1, 1846.  The  Rev.  Dr.  Wycoff  preached 
a  most  interesting  and  appropriate  sermon  from  Isaiah,  60tli 
chapter,  13th  verse,  "  And  I  will  make  the  place  of  my  feet 
glorious.''''  The  act  of  dedication  was  then  performed 
by  the  Rev.  J.  C.  Van  Liew,  the  minister  in  charge. 
Services  were  then  held  in  the  church.  Dr.  Abeel  preached 
the  sermon,  the  text  taken  from  1st  Timothy,  3rd  chapter, 
last  clause  of  the  15th  verse :  "  Which  is  the  Church  of 
the  living  God,  the  pillar  and  ground  of  the  truths 
Following  the  sermon  the  elders  and  deacons  were  ordained 
in  their  respective  offices.  At  a  meeting  after  the  services 
the  following  wardens  were  elected  :  David  Piffard,  Edwin 
Breckridse  and  B.  C.  Nichols. 


234  HISTORY    OF    ROCHESTER    PRESBYTERY. 

Elders:  The  lirst  elders  were  Thomas  Boyd  and 
Chauncey  Yan  Vliet. 

Deacons  :     Jacob  N.  Cliite  and  George  Sinclair. 

Present  Elders :     T.  N.  Shattuck  and  W.  A.  Sackett. 

Trustees :  Xina  H.  Piffard,  T.  N.  Shattuck  and  W.  A. 
Sackett. 

The  Rev.  J.  Hammond,  of  Mt.  Morris,  supplied  tlie 
pulpit  from  October  1,  1843,  until  the  spring  of  lS4(i.  The 
Rev.  J.  C.  Yan  Liew,  from  the  middle  of  May,  1S4(>,  until 
October,  1847. 

The  Rev.  James  M.  Compton,  through  application  to  the 
Classis  of  Cayuga,  entered  soon  afterwards  on  his  charge  as 
missionary  pastor,  but  later  on,  aid  which  had  been  promised 
being  withdrawn,  he  resigned  the  16th  of  November,  1850. 

In  June,  1853,  the  Rev.  Charles  Ray.  Presbyterian 
pastor,  took  the  charge,  and  under  his  influence  and  that  of 
others,  it  became  a  "  Society"  connected  with  the  Presby- 
tery of  Wyoming,  and  took  the  name  "  The  First  Presby- 
terian Congregation  of  Piffard."  He  continued  in  charge 
for  several  years. 

Subsequent  to  the  removal  of  the  Rev.  Charles  Rav,  who 
resigned  to  take  the  principalship  of  the  Geneseo  Academy, 
the  Rev.  F.  De  W.  Ward,  D.  D.,  succeeded,  and  labored  faith- 
fullv  for  twenty-live  years.  He  resigned  to  go  as  chaplain 
in  the  104th  New  York  Yolunteers  during  the  late  war 
(ad  interim),  resuming  the  pastorate  on  his  return. 

Following  a  period  of  quiescence  which  succeeded  Dr. 
Ward's  leaving,  mission  services  were  held  nearly  every 
Sabbath  during  the  summer  months  for  several  years,  the 
clergymen  in  the  vicinity  contributing  most  kindly  their 
services,  Mr.  Slack  taking  the  pulpit  for  the  winter  months 
during  the  interval  years.  Again  a  period  of  inaction  suc- 
ceeded. During  the  early  spring  and  summer  of  1884,  a 
number  of  the  members  of  Dr.  Kittredge's  congregation 
I  Presbyterian  Church]  in  Geneseo,  held  weekly  meetings  in 


HISTORY    OF    ROCHESTER     PRESBYTERV.  235 

Piffard  with  such  success  that  out  of  the  new  life  instilled 
through  their  labors,  the  church  started  afresh  with  every 
sign  of  enduring  success. 

During  that  summer  the  following  trustees  were  elected  : 
Nina  Haight  Piffard,  T.  N.  Shattuck  and  Robert  M.  Ferris. 
Subsequently,  in  the  place  of  Mr.  Ferris,  resigned,  Mrs. 
Charles  F.  Wadsworth  was  elected.  Later  Mrs.  Wadsworth 
resigned  and  W.  A.  Sackett  was  elected  to  fill  the  vacancy. 
In  the  autumn  of  1884,  the  Rev.  Fisher  Gutelius,  of  Moscow, 
N.  Y.,  began  to  hold  regular  services,  increasing  and 
strengthening  the  newly  grown  interest,  until  a  resident 
minister  could  be  secured,  which  was  done  during  the  fall 
of  1885. 

On  the  1st  of  September,  1885,  the  Rev.  John  M.  Wol- 
cott,  of  New  Haven,  Conn.,  was  called  and  accepted,  and  he 
remained  until  the  1st  of  July,  1887.  During  his  pastorate 
was  regularly  organized,  November  16,  1885,  the  "  First 
Presbyterian  Church  of  Piffard,"  with  twenty  members.  On 
the  17th  of  July,  1887,  the  Rev.  Fisher  Gutelius  was  again 
called  and  accepted,  taking  the  parish  as  before,  in  connection 
with  his  own  church  in  Moscow\ 

A  Sabbath  school  was  formed  long  prior  to  the  church 
congregation,  Mrs.  Piffard  starting  one  in  1826  or  1827, 
and  which  has  been  regularly  kept  up  ever  since,  her  grand- 
children teaching  the  grand-children  of  those  whom  she 
instructed. 

The  services,  at  present,  are  a  Sunday  school  at  noon,  an 
evening  service,  and  a  weekly  prayer  meeting — ^tw^o  in  fact, 
a  children's,  just  before  the  regular  meeting — of  45  minutes. 
A  large  and  very  active  society,  "  The  Ladies'  Aid  Society," 
of  about  twenty-five  members,  is  doing  some  very  good 
work ;  it  has  been  in  existence  some  two  years.  A  small 
society,  "  The  Little  Christians,"  meet  for  prayer,  singing 
and  religious  readings  and  recitations.  These  "  little  ones" 
purpose  to  follow  closely  in  the  wake  of  their  elders,  and  I 
am  confident  they  will  do  so. 


23fi  HISTORY    OF    ROCHESTER    PRESBYTERY. 

Donations :  In  1853  Mrs.  David  L.  Hai^ht  [Ann 
Matilda]  placed  in  the  hands  of  Levi  A.  Ward,  of  Roches- 
ter, as  a  gift  to  the  church,  tliesnni  of  $1,500.00,  the  interest 
of  which  was  to  be  used  for  various  church  expenses. 

The  church  edifice  and  grounds  belonged  to  the  estate  of 
David  Piffard,  now  deceased,  and  was  obliged  to  be  sold. 
Certain  of  the  heirs  resigned  all  claim,  each  adding  as  much 
more  to  assist  in  the  purchase.  Some  members  of  the 
Presl)yterian  Church  in  Geneseo,  most  nobly  and  generously 
bought  and  donated  said  church  for  the  use  of  the  village  of 
PifEard,  to  be  held  by  the  trustees  for  such  purpose,  subject 
to  certain  conditions.  This  was  in  the  autumn  of  18^4.  In 
the  summer  of  1885,  the  Ladies'  Missionary  Society  of  the 
Presbyterian  Church  in  Geneseo  gave  to  the  Piifard  church 
a  beautiful  Meneely  bell  in  loving  memory  of  Miss  Sarah  E. 
Piffard,  whose  loss  was  the  sorrow  of  a  community,  and 
whose  life  the  crown  of  a  Christian  mother's  shining 
example. 

The  '•  Ladies'  Aid  Society"  is  now  building  a  town  hall 
for  the  benefit  of  the  village.  It  was  deeded  to  the  church, 
and  held  by  the  trustees.  Miss  A.  M.  Piffard  donated  the 
site.  N.  H.  p. 


PITTS  FORD. 


Pittsford  formerly  constituted  the  centre  of  business  for 
the  original  town  of  Northfieid,  which  town  was  organized 
in  1794.  In  1798,  the  name  was  changed  to  Boyle.  In 
1813,  it  was  divided  into  three  towns,  named  Perrinton, 
Penfield  and  Smallwood,  the  latter  embracing  the  territory 
now  constituting  the  towns  of  Pittsford,  Henrietta,  Brigh- 
ton, Irondequoit.  and  that  part  of  Rochester  which  lies  East 
of  the  Genesee  river.     Afterwards  Smallwood  was  divided 


HISTORY    OF    ROCHESTKR     PRESRYTKRV.  IJo  ( 

into  Pittsford  and  Brighton.  In  1818,  Henrietta  was  set 
off  from  Pittsford.  Tlie  settlement  of  Pittsford  began  in 
1790.  The  first  school,  taught  by  Mr,  Barrows,  was  institu- 
ted in  1794,  and  held  in  a  log  house  one  mile  south  of  the 
village,  which  served  both  as  school  house  and  place  for 
worship.  The  first  sermon  preached  in  Pittsford,  was  by  a 
traveling  missionary,  said  to  be  from  Virginia,  who  visited 
them  on  a  week-day  during  harvest.  The  service  was  held 
in  a  barn.  Occasional  preaching  was  enjoyed  thereafter. 
Kev.  James  H.  Hotchkin  preached  six  Sabbaths,  between 
JS'ovember  8,  1801,  and  February  1,  1802.  The  organiza- 
tion known  as  The  First  Presbyterian  Church  of  Pittsford, 
N.  Y.,  began  with  the  "  Congregational  Society  of  North- 
field,"  instituted  1807,  at  the  house  of  Glover  Perrin. 
Trustees  were  chosen,  consisting  of  Orange  Stone  and 
Thomas  Kempshall  for  one  year ;  Abram  Bronson  and 
William  Spear  for  two  years  ;  Glover  Perrin  and  Samuel 
Stone  for  three  years  ;  Thomas  Ramsdell  was  chairman  of 
the  meeting  and  Josiah  J.  Kellogg,  clerk.  In  Februarj^, 
1808,  this  society  voted  to  settle  Rev.  John  Stewart,  "if 
enough  money  could  be  raised."  In  1809,  Rev.  Solomon 
Allen  was  engaged  at  a  salary  of  $250  annually. 

May  11,  1809,  "The  Second  Congregational  Church  of 
Northfield  "  was  "  constituted  "  by  Rev.  Solomon  Allen,  of 
the  following  nj embers — "  they  having  given  satisfactory 
evidence  of  true  piety  and  soundness  in  the  faith,"  viz  : — 
Andrew  Miller,  Joseph  Farr,  Michael  Beach,  Thomas 
Ramsdell,  Samuel  Stone,  Glover  Perrin,  Joseph  Shepard, 
Henry  E,  Dennis,  Hannah  Miller  and  Leah  Packard. 
Thomas  Ramsdell  and  Samuel  Stone  were  chosen  deacons 
of  the  church.  The  following  June  the  church  was  received 
into  connection  with  the  "  Ontario  Association,"  and  after 
the  dissolution  of  that  body,  it  was  received  under  the  care 
of  the  Presbytery  of  Geneva  on  the  accommodating  plan, 
April  20,  1814.      From  this  Presbytery  it  was  subsequently 


238         HISTORY  OF  ROCHESTER  PRESBYTERY. 

transferred  to  the  Presbytery  of  Ontario,  and  from  that  to 
the  Presbytery  of  Rochester  upon  its  organization  in  1819. 
In  1818,  there  were  37  members;  in  1826,  forty-two  ;  in 
1831,159;  and  in  1846,  195.  Rev.  Solomon  Allen  was 
stated  supply  for  two  years.  In  1811,  Rev.  Silas  Hubbard 
labored  with  this  church  a  short  time.  In  its  earl}'  years, 
the  church  was  without  regular  preaching  much  of  the  time, 
and  neighboring  ministers  and  transient  preachers  supplied 
the  pulpit ;  baptised  and  received  members.  The  town  was 
named  Pittsford  by  Col.  Bopkins,  one  of  its  prominent 
citizens,  after  the  place  of  that  name  in  Vermont,  whence 
he  came.  This  changed  the  name  of  this  church  to  that  by 
which  it  was  known  for  over  fifty  years.  Rev.  A.  C. 
Collins,  of  Bloomfield,  supplied  the  pulpit  a  part  of  the 
years  1817-18;  after  him  Rev.  Ezekiel  J.  Chapman  for  a 
few  months.  Rev.  Chauncey  Cook  was  stated  supply  for 
two  years.  Rev.  John  Taylor  served  the  church  from  1820- 
24,  and  also  preached  at  Mendon.  Rev.  Ralph  Cushman 
followed  for  one  year.  His  ministry  was  blessed  with  a 
revival,  and  38  were  added  to  the  church.  Rev.  William 
F.  Curry,  a  licentiate  from  the  South,  followed  Mr.  Cush- 
man, and  was  ordained  and  installed  July  14,  1825.  In  the 
same  year,  the  society  of  this  church  was  incorporated.  Mr. 
Curry  was  dismissed,  July  4,  1826,  In  1827,  Rev.  Homer 
Adams  came  and  preached  for  two  years.  He  was  succeeded 
by  Rev.  Asa  Mahan,  who  was  installed  November  11, 1829, 
and  was  dismissed  March  4,  1831.  Rev.  Alfred  E.  Camp- 
bell followed  as  stated  supply,  for  one  year.  His  successor 
Rev.  Elijah  Buck  remained  nine  months.  Rev.  John  B. 
Richardson  began  his  labors  June  2,  1833;  was  installed 
February  16,  1834,  and  left  in  1850.  During  his  ministry 
the  church  was  especially  blessed  and  built  up.  The  years 
1830,  '31  and  '32,  seem  to  have  been  years  of  revival,  dur- 
ing which  time  about  100  were  added  on  confession.  Rev. 
Job  Pierson  accepted  a  call  to   tliis  church   in   1850;  was 


HISTORY    Of-    R()CIir:STKK    I'KKSDYTKKY.  23!) 

ordained  and  installed  February  12,  1851.  Resigned  on 
account  of  health  in  1856.  Then  came  Rev.  A.  North  for 
a  season.  Rev.  Mr.  Crittenden  followed.  In  1799,  the 
inhabitants  of  Northiield  built  a  large  log-house,  a  little 
north  of  the  present  village  of  Pittsford,  in  which  town 
business  was  transacted  ;  and  public  worship  held  upon  the 
Sabbath.  In  1816,  a  frame  building  was  erected  one  mile 
South  of  the  village,  and  dedicated  as  a  place  of  worship. 
In  1826,  the  Presbyterian  congregation  l)uilt  a  commodious 
house  of  worship  on  the  site  occupied  by  the  ])resent  edifice. 
It  was  a  well  built  stone  structure,  60  ft.  by  40,  with  a  spire 
of  great  synnnetry  and  beauty.  The  ground  was  donated 
by  John  Acer,  Esq.  This  building  was  burned  in  1861, 
The  present  building  was  erected  in  1862,  which  with  subse- 
quent improvements  cost  $12,000,  and  was  dedicated  May  13, 
1863.  The  bell  was  donated  by  Mrs.  Chloe  Wilcox.  Rev.  C. 
R.  Wilkins  was,  at  this  time,  acting  pastor.  Rev.  Dr.  James 
B.  Shaw,  of  Rochester,  preached  the  sermon.  Rev.  Messrs. 
North,  Pierson  and  Richardson,  former  pastors,  took  part 
in  the  services.  The  parsonage  of  this  church  was  donated 
chiefly  by  Mrs.  Lydia  Bushnell.  July  15,  1869,  the 
ecclesiastical  order  of  this  church  was  unanimously  changed 
from  Congregational  to  Presbyterian.  For  60  years  it  had 
been  a  Congregational  church  connected  with  Presbytery. 
Rev.  G.  L.  Hamilton  was  serving  the  church  faithfully  and 
well,  in  April,  1866.  He  was  followed  by  Rev.  Henry  M. 
Morey  for  two  years,  under  whom  the  church  prospered. 
For  short  periods  Rev.  George  G.  Smith  and  others  fol- 
lowed him.  In  September,  1874,  Rev.  Lewis  H.  Morey,  a 
brother  of  Henry,  was  called  to  this  field,  was  ordained  and 
installed  May  25,  1875,  and  left  in  1880.  His  labors  were 
blest.  May  3,  1880,  Rev.  J.  Edward  Close  was  called.  He 
served  the  church  with  great  acceptance  for  eight  years, 
without  installation.  During  his  ministry  over  100  united 
with  the   church.     The    Sabbath    school   earlv  became  an 


240  HISTORY    OF    ROCHESTER    PRESBYTERY. 

institution  in  tliit*  church,  and  has  proved  a  great  blessing.  It 
last  reported  to  the  General  Assembly  176  members.  This 
church  sustains  a  Ladies'  Missionary  Society,  The  Mission 
Band  for  Children,  The  Temperance  Loyal  Legion,  and 
Tlie  Band  of  Mercy.  It  was  active  in  the  Anti-Slavery 
Cause,  and  as  early  as  1836  took  strong  temperance  ground. 
Its  present  membership  numbers  19-1. 


ROCHESTER  FIRST. 


This  church  was  organized  on  the  22nd  August,  18]  5,  as 
''The  First  Presbyterian  Church  of  Gates  in  Rochesterville," 
by  a  commission  appointed  by  the  Presbytery  of  Geneva, 
consisting  of  Rev.  Daniel  Fuller  and  Rev.  Reuben  Parmerlee 
and  elders  Isaac  B.  Barnum  and  Samuel  Stone.  It  con- 
sisted of  the  following  16  members :  Sibel  Bickford, 
Warren  Brown,  Henry  Donnelly,  Hannah  Donnelly,  Elisha 
Ely,  Hannah  Ely,  Oliver  Gibbs,  Jane  Gibbs,  Aaron  Lay, 
Sarah  Lay,  Charles  Magne,  Polly  Magne,  Iluldah  Stoddard^ 
Arbela  Starks,  Daniel  West  and  Elizabeth  West. 

At  the  same  time  Warren  Brown  and  Henry  Doimelly 
were  elected  elders  and  Oliver  Gibbs  and  Daniel  West  were 
elected  deacons,  and  all  were  then  ordained. 

This  congregation  at  that  time  was  the  onh'  church  in  a 
tract  of  about  400  square  miles. 

This  church  being  the  oldest  ecclesiastical  body  of  any 
denomination  in  the  place,  it  has  naturally  been  a  mother 
of  Churches.  Most  or  all  of  the  other  Presbyterian  congre- 
gations that  were  formed  during  the  first  forty  years  of  the 
existence  of  Rochester,  were  colonies  from  the  old  First. 

It  was  natural,  too,  from  its  having  been  earlier  and 
longest  in  the  field,  that  the  First  Church  should  have  con- 
tained from  the  beginning  and  should  still  contain  a  con- 


FIRST  PRESBYTERIAN   CHURCH,   ROCHESTER. 


HISTORY    OF    ROCHESTER    I'RESIJYTEKY.  241 

sidcrable  element  of  the  stable  intelligent  and  prominent 
Presbyterians  of  the  city. 

The  pastors  of  this  church  have  been  as  follows  :  Rev. 
Comfort  Williams,  installed  January  7,  1816,  was  dismissed 
June  6, 1821 ;  Rev.  Joseph  Penny,  D.  D.,  was  installed  April 
3,  1822,  and  dismissed  April  26, 1833  ;  Rev.  Try  on  Edwards, 
D.  D.,  was  ordained  and  installed  July  22,  1834,  and  dis- 
missed July  26,  1844 ;  Rev.  Malcolm  isT.  McLaren,  D.  D., 
was  installed  Aug.  27,  1845,  and  dismissed  Feb.  2,  1847  ; 
Rev.  Joshua  H.  Mcllvain,  D.  D.,  was  installed  July  13, 
1848,  and  dismissed  Oct.  1,  1860  ;Rev.  Calvin  Pease,  D.  D., 
was  installed  May  13,  1862,  and  died  Sept.  17,  1863; 
Elias  R.  Beadle,  D.  D.,  of  Philadelphia,  Pa.,  was  elected 
pastor  that  fall,  which  he  accepted,  and  after  supply- 
ing the  church  one  year  returned  to  his  old  charge ;  Rev. 
Casper  M.  Wines  was  installed  May  22,  1866,  and  dismissed 
July  14,  1868 ;  Rev.  J.  Lovejoy  Robertson  was  installed 
Dec.  7,  1870,  and  dismissed  June  11,  1877;  Charles  E. 
Robinson,  D.  D.,  was  installed  May  14,  1878,  and  dismissed 
Dec.  6,  1886 ;  Nelson  Millard,  D.  D.,  began  his  pastoral 
labors  here  Sept.  15,  1887,  and  was  installed  April  24,  1888. 

The  First  church  edifice  was  of  wood  and  stood  on 
Carroll,  now  called  State  street,  where  the  American 
Express  building  now  stands. 

That  portion  of  Rochester  which  now  is  the  heart  of  the 
city,  was  then  like  much  of  the  central  section  of  the  town, 
wet  and  marshy.  Indeed,  where  now  stand  massive  and 
splendid  business  blocks  was  then  almost  a  swamp.  The 
church  was  raised  a  few  feet  from  the  mucky  ground  and 
stood  on  posts  or  blocks.  It  was  not  uncommon  for  dogs, 
hens,  and  other  creatures  of  the  street  to  find  shelter  under- 
neath the  building  and  sometimes  even  on  Sunday,  to  make 
themselves  heard  in  a  manner  non-conducive  to  reverence. 
P'rom  such  beginnings  have  grown  both  the  city  and  the 
church,  now  so  strong  and  so  substantially  built. 

The  second  and  better  edifice  of  the  First  Church,  which 


2'12  HISTORY    OF    ROCHESTER    rRESBYTEKY. 

was  of  stone,  was  erected  in  the  year  1825,  on  Fitzhngh 
street,  just  north  of  the  Erie  canal,  on  the  site  now  occupied 
by  tlie  City  Hall.  It  was  capable  of  holding  about  850 
persons.  Its  first  chapel,  built  of  brick,  stood  east  of  the 
church  edifice,  and  was  erected  in  1831.  It  was  removed  in 
1859  to  furnish  room  for  widening  Irving  place. 

A  second  chapel  was  then  built  of  stone  in  I860,  west  of 
the  church  near  the  east  line  of  Fitzhugh  street.  This  was 
demolished  with  the  old  church  to  make  room  for  the  City 
Hall.  In  1871  the  present  beautiful  and  commodious  edifice 
which  is  also  of  stone,  and  stands  at  the  corner  of  Plymouth 
avenue  and  S])ring  street  was  erected.  It  was  dedicated 
June  23,  1872.  Its  cost,  with  that  of  the  parsonage  adjoin- 
ing, was  about  $110,000.  The  lot  on  which  the  buildings 
stand  is  112  by  132  feet  or  15,783  square  feet. 

The  first  Sunday  school  that  was  established  in  Rochester 
was  organized  by  the  First  Presbyterian  church  in  the  year 
1816,  that  is  the  next  year  after  the  organization  of  the 
church  itself.  The  school  was  held  in  a  district  school 
house,  that  stood  on  the  site  of  the  present  Free  Academy. 
The  church  also  used  the  school  house  for  conference  or 
social  meetings  until  their  first  chapel  was  built. 

This  church  also  organized  tlie  first  infant  school  in 
Rochester  in  the  winter  of  1830-31.  Mrs.  Margaret  Penny 
and  Miss  Harriet  Hatch  were  particularly  active  in  inaugu- 
rating it.  They  made  special  eiforts  to  gather  in  the 
neglected  little  children  from  the  highways  and  resorts  of 
dissij)atiou.  The  lady  members  of  the  church  furnished  a 
band  of  devoted  helpers  while  the  church  sustained  the 
enterprise  with  liberal  contributions,  so  that  the  work  was 
prosecuted  with  much  vigor  and  success. 

This  missionary  feature  has  prevailed  in  the  Sunday  school 
from  the  first  and  still  continues  in  both  the  infant  and  the 
older  departments.  The  superintendent  is  Thomas  Chester, 
assisted  by  diaries  P.  Ford.  Mrs.  Marion  L.  Olds  is  at  the 
head  of  the  infant  department. 


HISTORY    OF    KOCHESTEK     PRESBYTERY.  243 

111  Juno,  l;s78,  the  First  Cburcli  organized,  at  the  corner  of 
Plyinoutli  and  Frost  avenues,  a  mission  Sunday  school.  A 
suitable  building  was  completed  in  1874.  The  organization 
was  very  vigorously  and  successfully  maintained  and  con- 
tinued to  grow^  with  that  part  of  the  city,  until,  in  1887,  an 
addition  was  made  to  the  original  structure,  very  much 
enlarging  and  improving  it.  On  May  2, 1887,  a  cliurch  was 
organized  called  the  Emmanuel  Presbyterian  Church  and 
elders  were  chosen  and  ordained.  The  cost  of  the  lot  and 
building  amounting  to  about  $9,000,  was  provided  for  by 
the  First  Church. 

The  session  of  the  First  Church  is  constituted  on  the  rotary 
plan.  Its  present  elders  are  George  C.  Buell,  Albert  G. 
Bassett,  Thomas  Chester,  Henry  Goold,  David  M.  Hough, 
Arthur  Hamilton,  Charles  F.  Pond,  and  George  D.  Olds. 
The  present  trustees  are  Gilbert  Brady,  John  Durand, 
Charles  P.  Ford,  James  C.  Hart,  George  C.  Hollister  and 
Menzo  VanVoorhes. 

A  goodly  spirit  of  l)enevolence  has  prevailed  in  the  church 
from  the  first,  as  evinced  by  their  yearly  contributions. 
This  moreover  has  manifested  encouraging  increase  during 
the  past  year  by  the  adoption  of  the  plan  of  "  Systematic 
benevolence."  The  amount  thus  raised  being  double  of 
that  before  given. 

The  church  has  a  vigorous  Young  People's  Society  of 
Christian  Endeavor,  which  holds  weekly  meetings.  The 
attendance  is  good  and  the  meetings  are  spirited.  Other 
meetings  auxiliary  to  the  work  of  this  Society,  are  held 
during  the  year.  There  is  an  efficient  Ladies'  Benevolent 
Society,  which  does  much  work  for  the  poor  during  the 
year  and  sends  away  a  number  of  excellent  "•  missionary 
boxes,"  also  a  "  Ladies'  Missionary  Society,"  a  "  Young 
Ladies'  Missionary  Band,"  a  "  Little  Girls'  Band,"  and  a 
"•  Boys'  Band," 

There  have  been  numerous  seasons  of  marked  religious 
interest  in  the  congregation,  the  first  was  in  1821.     Early  in 


244  HISTORY    OF    ROCHESTER    PRESBYTERY. 

that  year  Josiah  Bissell,  Jr.,  visited  Pittsfield,  Mass.,  (the 
place  of  his  nativity,  when  there  was  a  revival  and  was  con- 
verted). He  returned  full  of  ardor  and  zeal.  He  attended 
the  evening  prayer-meeting  and  surprised  the  assembly  by 
repeating  the  verse  in  Dodridge's  hynm  : 

"  Grace  taught  my  soul  to  pray^ 

And  made  my  eyes  overflow, 
'Tis  grace  has  kept  me  to  this  day 

And  will  not  let  me  go." 

To  hear  this  f i-om  such  a  man  Avas  most  deeply  impressive. 
A  revival  followed  resulting  in  the  addition  of  2L  members 
to  the  church  on  confession  of  their  faith.  There  was  also 
a  revival  in  1827,  the  fruits  of  wliich  added  43  members  to 
the  church  on  confession. 

In  Sept.,  1830,  Rev.  Charles  G.  Finney  made  his  hrst 
efforts  in  Rocliester  and  continued  here  more  than  6  months. 
For  a  few  weeks  he  preached  about  two  sermons  per  week 
in  each  of  the  First,  Second  and  Third  churches.  In  the 
evening  of  Oct.  1,  1830,  a  crowded  congregation  were 
assembled  in  the  First  Church,  the  building  had  no  columns 
in  its  audience  room  to  support  its  roof,  the  weight  spread 
the  walls  so  that  a  scantling  fell  over  the  ceiling  and  broke 
through  the  plastering,  causing  a  stampede,  the  congrega- 
tion smashed  through  windows  and  trampled  down  a  crowd 
at  both  doors.  The  church  was  then  closed  till  supports  for 
the  roof  were  set  up  in  the  middle  aisle.  At  this  time  St. 
Paul's  Church  being  without  a  rector,  their  vestry  tendered 
the  use  of  their  church  to  the  congregation  of  the  First 
Church,  and  their  pastor,  Joseph  Penny,  D.  D.,  preached  in 
it  till  tlie  latter  part  of  the  winter,  when  St.  Paul's  Church 
secured  a  rector.  In  the  afternoon  of  Jan.  2,  1831,  the  First 
Church  lield  their  communion  service  in  the  Second  Church 
and  received  100  new  members.  In  several  other  years 
large  additions  were  made  to  the  church. 

This  church  has  had  at  different  times  quite  a  number  of 
students  for  the  ministry  under  its  care  or  support.  Some 
of  whom  have  become  foreign  missionaries.     The  following 


^S-Si^Jp,  -.-^^  ^ 


BRICK    CHURCH,    ROCHESTER. 


filSTORY    OF    ROCHESTER    PRESBYTERY, 


245 


are  of  those  who  entered  the  ministry  :  James  Ballantine, 
Henry  B.  Chapin,  Charles  R.  Clark,  Henry  Cherry,  George 
Button,  T.  Dwight  Hunt,  Mathew  L.  P.  Hill,  Everard 
Kempshall,  Charles  G.  Lee,  L.  Merrill  Miller,  William  N. 
McCoon,  Gideon  P.  Nichols,  James  H.  Mcllvain,  Jr.,  Henry 
E.  Peck,  Robert  Proctor,  Justin  Gamaliel  Riley,  George  S. 
Sill,  Robert  L.  Stanton,  P^'erdinand  DeW.  Ward  and  Horace 
Winston. 


CARTHAGE. 


Tliis  church,  containing  28  members,  was  received  by  the 
Presbytery  of  Rochester  at  its  first  meeting,  April  6,  1819. 
No  session  book  is  found  or  list  of  names  of  its  original 
members,  and  date  of  its  organization.  Probably  it  had  no 
organized  society.  They  worshipped  in  a  framed  building, 
standing  on  high  ground,  on  the  west  side  of  the  road,  a 
little  south  of  the  j)resent  location  of  the  mute  asylum. 

In  consequence  of  a  bridge  over  the  Genesee  river  near 
the  lower  falls  having  fallen,  and  many  of  their  members 
residing  on  the  west  side  of  the  river  being  thereby  cut  off 
from  access  to  their  place  of  meeting,  and  many  east  side 
residents  having  moved  away,  under  the  advice  of  the  Pres- 
bytery, letters  of  dismission  were  given  to  their  remaining 
members,  and  their  organization  was  surrendered  to  the 
Presbytery,  and  disbanded  by  them  April  15,  1822. 


ROCHESTER  PRICK. 


The  Second  (now  Brick)  Presbyterian  Church  of  Roches- 
ter was  organized  November  18,  1825,  by  a  commission  of 
Presbytery,  consisting  of  Rev.  Asa  Carpenter,  Chauncy  Cook, 
Joseph  Penny  and  William  F.  Curry,  and  Elders  Moses 
Chapin  and  Joel  Baldwin. 


p. 


246  HISTORY    OF    KOC&EStteR   PRESBYTERY. 

The  following  25  persons  composed  it :  Timothy  L. 
Bacon,  Lydia  Bacon,  Lydia  W.  Blanchard,  Catharine  Brown, 
Asa  Carpenter,  Seth  Case,  Elizabeth  Cherry,  Lottie  Cherry, 
Richard  Gorsline,  Amelia  Gorsline,  Silas  Hawley,  Sarah 
Hawley,  George  A.  Hollister,  Sally  Hollister,  Catharine  S. 
Russell, Mary  Rust,  Thomas  Sheldon,  Jane  Sheldon,  Derrick 
Sibley,  Nabby  Sibley,  Irene  Sibley,  Linus  Stevens,  M.  D., 
Thankful  Stevens,  Delia  Stevens. 

Timothy  L.  Bacon,  Linus  Stevens,  M.  D.,  and  Silas 
Hawley  w^ere  elected  and  ordained  as  elders.  The  present 
elders  are  Seth  J.  Arnold,  Louis  Cliapin,  Joel  G.  Davis, 
David  Dickey,"  Willam  H.  Gorsline,  Jesse  W.  Hatch,  Tru- 
man A.  Newton,  George  N.  Storms,  Charles  F.  Weaver, 
Ed%vard  Webster  and  Lansing  G.  Wetmore.  Since  the 
organization  of  this  church  there  have  been  29  different 
elders,  15  of  them  have  died,  and  3  who  are  now  living, 
have  resigned.     Terms  are  not  limited. 

The  church  has  had  seven  different  deacons,  all  of  whom 
resigned.     Five  of  them  are  dead. 

The  following  have  been  pastors  or  stated  supplies  : 
William  James,  the  first  pastor,  was  called  from  Clarkson, 
where  he  M-as  stated  supply,  April  17,  1826,  installed  July 
24,  1826,  resigned  his  pastorate  October  14,  1830,  and  Avas 
dismissed  to  Albany,  February  4,  1831.  William  Wisner, 
D.  D.,  was  called  from  Ithaca,  January  24,  1831,  began  his 
pastorate  May  1,  1831,  was  installed  July  24,  1831,  and  was 
dismissed  to  St.  Louis,  October  14, 1835.  On  the  retirement 
of  Dr.  Wisner,  Rev,  Russell  S.  Cook  was  employed  as  tem- 
porary supply  for  some  four  mouths,  until  February  26, 1836. 
In  March,  following,  Conway  P.  Wing,  D.  D.,  of  Ogden, 
supplied  the  church  for  several  months,  assisted  by  David 
N.  Merritt,  a  layman  from  Port  Gibson,  who  was  afterward 
licensed,  and  on  the  24th  of  August,  1836,  was  engaged  as 


♦David  Dickey,  was  born  September  12, 1803,  united  with  the  church  on  certifi- 
cate, September  5,  1831;  was  ordained  an  elder  September  29,  1833,  and  was 
appointed  clerk  of  the  session  Januarj^  8,  ia36,  which  oflBce  he  continues  to  hold. 


HISTORY    OF    BOUH'ksTER    I'RKSUVtKKV.  247 

supply  for  one  year.     Pie  continued  as  such  more  than  a 
year  and  removed  to  Massachusetts. 

Rev,  George  Beecher,  was  called  from  Putnam,  Ohio, 
December,  1.^87,  was  installed  June  15,  1888,  and  dismissed 
to  Ripley,  Ohio,  October  0,  1840. 

Rev.  James  Boy  Ian  Shaw  was  called  from  Dunkirk, 
November  25,  1840,  installed  February  16,  1841,  and  con- 
tinued until  he  was  retired  by  the  Presbytery  as  pastor 
emeritus,  April  10, 1888. 

Rev.  William  Rivers  Taylor,  was  called  from  the  First 
Reformed  Church,  Philadelphia,  Pa.,  Nov.  14,1887,  accepted 
and  commenced  his  labors  Feb,  19,  1888,  and  was  installed 
April  10,  1888.  He  continues  as  the  pastor.  The  growth 
of  the  church  under  the  several  pastorates  and  supplies  has 
been  as  follows  : 

Rev.  William  James,  4^  years,  43  on  confession,  112  by 
certificate. 

Rev.  William  Wisner,  D.  D.,  4^  years,  372  on  confession, 
202  by  certificate. 

Rev.  Conway  P.  Wing,  D,  D.,  and  David  N.  Merritt,  1^ 
years,  109  on  confession,  26  by  certificate. 

Rev.  George  Beecher,  2|  years,  138  on  confession,  76  on 
certificate. 

Rev.  James  Boylan  Shaw,  47^  years,  2,061  on  confession, 
1,320  on  certificate. 

Rev.  William  Rivers  Taylor,  1  year,  78  on  confession,  33 
on  certificate. 

There  have  been  received  into  the  church  on  confession 
2,965,  and  on  certificates  1,763  members.  The  present 
resident  membership  is  1,414,  besides  306  names  on  a  non- 
resident list  (according  to  Morris'  Digest  of  1886,  Chap.VII. 
Sec.  49,  page  640). 

The  Sunday  school  was  organized  on  the  last  Sunday  of 
November,  1825,  under  the  superintendence  of  Jonathan 
Mann,  and  has  been  maintained  without  interruption.  Its 
records   show  that  151   teachers  and  1,638  scholars  have 


248  HISTORY    OF    ROCHESTER    PRESBYTERY. 

united  with  the  church  in  a  httle  more  than  62  years.  Its 
present  superintendent  is  Lansing  G.  Wetmore.  It  has 
100  teacliers,  and  842  scholars.  May  24,  1857,  a  Sunday- 
school  was  organized  in  what  had  been  a  tavern,  on  the 
corner  of  Buffalo  road  and  York  street.  The  tavern  was 
bought  by  Aristarchus  Champion,  and  fitted  by  him  for 
Sunday  school,  and  prayer  meeting  purposes.  John  H. 
Thompson,  was  its  superintendent.  George  W.  Mackie,  a 
theological  student,  visited  the  section  and  conducted 
religious  meetings  there.  The  school  was  closed  December 
25,  1859,  having  had  426  different  scholars. 

A  Sunday  school  was  opened  July  27,  1S56,  in  a  hall  on 
the  south  side  of  Buffalo  street,  now  West  avenue,  opposite 
the  end  of  Canal  street,  belonging  to  Joel  B.  Bennett, 
under  the  management  of  teachers  from  the  Brick  and 
Washington  street  churches.  This  school  continued  till 
December  25,  1859,  when  it  was  united  with  the  one  from 
the  Champion  mission,  and  the  two  formed  the  new  school 
in  a  small  chapel  now  composing  in  part  the  Westminster 
Church.  It  remained  as  a  union  school  until  September  2, 
1862,  when  a  society  was  incorporated,  called  '"The  West 
Avenue  Chapel."  Its  trustees  were  Joel  B.  Bennett,  Sam- 
uel Dix,  Stephen  Coleman,  Henry  L.  Churchill  and 
Lewis    H.  Ailing. 

June  13,  1869,  members  of  the  Brick  Church  organized 
a  Sunday  school  in  District  School  house  No.  18,  on  North 
street.  In  a  short  time  the  wants  of  the  district  required 
the  occupancy  of  the  room  and  the  school  was  suspended. 

July  14, 1869,  the  Brick  Church  Sunday  school  purcliased 
of  Hiram  Davis,  a  lot  at  the  corner  of  Hudson  and  Wilson 
streets,  for  $2,600,  now  occupied  by  the  Memorial  Church. 
Subscriptions  to  the  amount  of  more  than  $7,500  were 
paid  by  members  of  the  Brick  Church  congregation. 
Until  the  Memorial  Church  became  self-sustaining,  the 
Brick  Church  and  its  Sunday  school  paid  $20,661,  for 
building  and  supporting  the  Memorial  Church. 


HISTORY    OF    ROCHESTER    PRESBYTERY.  249 

At  different  times  the  Brick  Church  Sunday  school  has 
paid  toward  the  education  and  support  of  10  children  in 
heathen  lands  through  the  American  Board  ol"  Foreign 
Missions,  to  whom  they  gave  names.  Since  the  commence- 
ment of  the  Sunday  school,  November  25,  1825,  it  has  con- 
tributed towards  Home  and  Foreign  Mission,  Education, 
Church  Erection,  Freedmen,  etc.,  $25,847.55. 

For  a  few  years  past  the  school  has  paid  to  Mrs.  Agnes 
B.  Rowland  $500  per  annum  salary,  to  work  as  a  city  mis- 
sionary, mostly  in  the  interests  of  the  Brick  Church  and 
Sunday  school. 

The  Dorcas  Society,  or  an  association  of  similar  kind  has 
existed  more  than  50  years.  Its  object  has  been  to  clothe 
poor  Sunday  school  children.  Last  year  they  aided  135 
children,  furnishing  to  them  458  articles  of  clothing  and  59 
pairs  of  shoes,  at  a  cost  of  $287,  besides  labor. 

A  "  Girls'  Missionary  Society,"  has  existed  four  years. 
They  at  first  worked  to  aid  Miss  Emma  Cochrane  and  a 
hospital  in  Persia.  The  present  year's  earnings  and  receipts 
have  amounted  to  $229,  which  has  been  contributed  to  the 
Women's  Board. 

"  Cheerful  Workers,"  an  association  of  about  20  young 
ladies,  have  realized  $200,  which  has  been  used  for  Home 
and  Foreign  missions. 

A  few  ladies  hold  a  sewing  school,  called  the  Young 
Dorcas  Society,  which  meets  in  the  afternoon  on  Saturdays, 
and  is  attended  on  an  average  by  50  little  girls,  most  of 
whom  are  from  families  of  the  poor.  Such  as  are  able,  eon- 
tribute  one  cent  per  week,  which  is  used  for  materials. 

The  '*  Society  of  Christian  Endeavor,"  has  150  members, 
and  hold  their  meetings  on  Tuesday  evenings.  They  have 
contributed  $80  to  missions,  besides  using  what  they 
needed  for  their  own  work, 

A  "  Boys'  Mission  Band,"  of  about  60  members,  meets 
every   alternate   week   in    nine   months   of    the    year,   to 


250  HISTORY    OF    ROCHESTER    PRESBYTERY. 

systematically  study  missions,  taking  up  one  country  after 
another,  to  learn  their  characteristics,  condition,  customs, 
religion,  needs,  progress  and  results  of  mission  work.  They 
have  contributed  in  various  ways  this  year  to  missions,  $45. 

The  •'  Ladies'  Missionary  Society  "  meets  monthly  in  con- 
nection with  a  church  sociable.  They  have  contributed  this 
year  to  mission  purposes,  $1,271,  besides  sending  packages 
to  Home  missionaries  valued  at  $289. 

Plate  collections  have  been  taken  for  more  than  seventeen 
years,  on  Sundays,  both  at  morning  and  evening  services, 
for  Board  or  benevolent  purposes.  They  amounted  in  1888, 
to  $3,813.  Collections  are  also  taken  every  Sunday  in  the 
Sunday  school.  They  amounted  in  1888,  to  $1,854.  The 
following  persons  who  have  been  members  of  this  church 
or  its  Sunday  school,  have  been  licensed  to  preach  :  Horace 
H.  Allen,  David  Ames,  Charles  R.  Benedict,  Peter  H. 
Burkhardt,  Elisha  M.  Carpenter,  Nathan  C.  Chapin,  Lemuel 
Clark,  Henry  Cherr}-,  Darwin  Chichester,  Hiram  W. 
Congdon,  Philos  G.  Cook,  Henry  Cooper,  David  Dickey, 
Mowatt  Evarts,  William  C.  French,  John  K.  Fowler, 
Merritt  (jralley,  Corliss  B.  Gardner.  T.  Dwight  Hunt, 
Alanson  Curtis  Hall,  Augustus  F.  Hall,  Gavin  L.  Hamilton, 
Parsons  C.  Hastings,  Alvan  Ingersoll,  Thomas  H.  Johnson, 
Jonathan  Ketchum,  George  M.  Mackie,  Amos  D.  McCoy, 
David  E.  Millard,  David  Henry  Palmer,  James  H.  Phelps, 
James  S.  Pierpont,  Augustus  C.  Shaw,  Robert  B.  Stevens, 
John  Spink,  Ansley  D.  White,  William  C.  Wisner,  Edwin 
S.  Wright,  Worthington  Wright. 

Eight  who  have  been  teachers  or  scholars  with  us,  have 
been,  or  now  are  Foreign  missionaries  under  the  appoint- 
ment of  the  American  Board :  T.  Dwight  Hunt,  to 
Sandwich  Islands  ;  Edwin  O.  Hall,  to  Sandwich  Islands  ; 
Fidelia  (Church)  Coan,  to  Sandwich  Islands  ;  Alanson  Curtis 
Hall,  to  Ceylon  ;  Henry  Cherry,  to  Madura ;  Maria  (Preston) 
Johnson,  to  Siam  ;  Elijah  F.  Webster,  to  Bombay,  and 
Harriet  Seymour,  to  Turkey. 


HISTORY    OF    ROCUKSTKR    I'RKSHVTRRY.  251 


ROCHESTER   THIRD. 

Residents  of  the  east  side  of  the  Genesee  river  in  the 
village  of  Rochester,  feeling  the  need  of  a  place  for 
worship  nearer  to  their  homes  than  those  located  on  the 
west  side,  decided  to  organize  a  Third  Presbyterian  Church 
and  to  locate  on  the  north-east  corner  of  Clinton  and  Main 
streets. 

The  Rev.  Joel  Parker,  a  graduate  of  Auburn  Seminary, 
was  employed  to  begin  their  services  in  a  school  house  on 
the  corner  of  Clinton  and  Mortimer  streets,  Dec.  31,  1626. 
Very  soon  tlie  room  was  found  to  be  too  small,  and  they 
resolved  to  build  on  the  north  part  of  the  lot  selected  for 
their  permanent  locality,  a  temporary  house  of  worship,  and 
their  efficient  leaders  started  on  a  Monday  morning  in 
January  and  had  trees  cut  down,  hewn,  drawn  to  tlie  site, 
raised,  covered,  floor  laid,  seats  made,  all  ready  for  use  be- 
fore the  next  Sunday.  Its  size  was  24  ft.  by  60  ft.  Later 
in  the  same  year  they  connnenced  building  a  brick  church, 
having  a  steeple  and  supplied  with  a  bell,  which  was  com- 
pleted for  use  in  1828,  on  the  ground  now  occupied  by 
Washington  Hall.  The  society  was  incorporated  January 
17,  1827,  as  the  Third  Presbyterian  Church  and  Society  of 
Rochester.  Its  tirst  trustees  were  Obediah  N.  Bush, 
Ashbel  W.  Riley,  Judson  Booth  and  Isaac  Waring. 

By  appointment  of  Presbytery,  Feb.  4,  1827,  a  com- 
mission consisting  of  Rev.  Joseph  Penney,  Rev.  William 
James,  Rev.  George  S.  Sill,  and  elders  Silas  Hawley  and 
Zolved  Stevens,  met  on  Feb.  28,  1827,  and  organized  the 
Third  Presbyterian  Church  in  Rocliester,  containing  twenty- 
two  members,  as  follows:  Louisa  Allen,  Lucy  Allen,  Maria 
Allen,  Pliny  Allen,  Sarah  Allen,  Philip  Allen,  Henrietta 
Bissell,    Josiah     Bissell,    Jr.,    Esther    Calhoun,    John   T. 


252  HISTORY   OF    ROCHESTER   PRESBYTERY. 

Calhoun,  Asa  Carpenter,  Mary  Carpenter,  Elislia  Ely, 
Hannah  Ely,  Harriet  Moore,  Harriet  Parker,  Hezekiah  B. 
Pierpont,  Mary  Pierpont,  Eliza  Pratt,  Persis  Scofield, 
Salmon  Scofield,  and  Lydia  Ann  Smith. 

They  elected  Josiah  Bissell,  Jr.,  and  Salmon  Scofield 
for  elders. 

Rev.  Joel  Parker,  as  before  stated,  commenced  his  ser- 
vices for  them  Dec.  31,  1826;  was  installed  over  the 
church,  June  14,  1827,  and  was  dismissed  to  New  York, 
June  IT,  1830.  The  growth  of  the  church  under  Mr. 
Parker's  ministrations  was  very  rapid. 

In  1827,  when  the  church  occupied  its  temporary  house 
of  worship,  the  scheme  of  supplying  every  family  in  the 
county  of  Monroe  with  a  copy  of  the  Bible  was  proposed 
by  Josiah  Bissell,  Jr.,  and  was  extensively  carried  out.  The 
county  was  canvassed  and  Bibles  given  to  all  families  who 
would  receive  them,  or  were  not  disposed  or  able  to  pay  for 
them. 

From  Sept.  10,  1830,  to  March  6,  1831,  Rev.  Charles  G. 
Finney,  supplied  their  pulpit  most  of  the  time.  In  this 
period  he  preached  ninety-eight  sermons  in  the  First, 
Second,  and   his  church. 

Undef  the  preaching  of  Mr.  Finney  the  church  received 
large  and  influential  additions.  Dee.  12,  1830,  there  were 
eighty-three  added  to  this  church.  Jan.  16,  1831,  there 
were  thirty-seven,  and  on  27th  March  following,  thirty-nine 
more. 

July  13,  1831,  Rev.  Luke  Lyons  was  installed  pastor  of 
this  church.  Soon  disaffection  was  manifested  in  the  con- 
gregation which  resulted  in  his  dismissal,  and  he  together 
with  forty-six  members  of  the  Third  Church  were  organized 
into  the  First  Free  Presbyterian  Church  in  Rochester. 

February  7,  1832,  William  C.  Wisner,  a  licentiate,  who 
had  studied  theology  with  his  father  at  Ithaca,  was 
employed.  He  w^as  installed  Oct.  24,  1832  ;  he  continued 
the  charge  until  June  25,  1833  ;  he  resigned  on  account  of 


HISTORY    OF    ROCHESTER    T'RESI'.YTERV.  258 

failing  health.  A  season  of  depression  followed  for  many 
months. 

In  December,  1834,  the  church  extended  a  call  to  Rev. 
"William  Mack,  who  became  their  fourth  pastor  and  was 
installed  February  3,  1835.  He  labored  successfully  till 
July  22, 1 839,  when  he  resigned  the  pastorate,  and  was  dis- 
missed from  Presbytery,  February  6,  1844,  to  Columbia, 
Tenn. 

On  the  first  of  February,  Rev.  Albert  Gallatin  Hall 
began  his  labors  as  pastor.  He  was  installed  Nov.  10, 
1840,  and  continued  such  till  Sept.  10,  1871,  when  his  spirit 
was  called  to  take  its  place  with  the  redeemed.  His 
influence  for  good  was  great.  He  was  greatly  beloved  by 
the  community  as  well  as  by  his  own  congregation.  See 
the  biographical  sketch  on  a  preceding  page. 

Rev.  George  Patton,  a  graduate  of  the  University  of 
Pennsylvania  and  of  Newburg  Theological  Seminary,  after 
ministering  to  the  church  of  Seneca  for  fifteen  years,  was 
called  aud  installed  pastor  of  this  church,  Dec.  21,  1871. 
His  labors  have  been  greatly  blessed,  and  he  continues  to 
enjoy  the  confidence  and  esteem  of  his  people  to  the 
present  time.  *■■■■ 

The  elders  of  this  churcli  are  AVilliam  F.  Cogswell,  David 
Copeland,  David  Cory,  Edward  Harris,  Joseph  Harris, 
John  H.  Hill,  Charles  D.  King  and  William  S.  Little.  After 
the  organization  of  the  First  Free  Presbyterian  Church  and 
the  death  and  withdrawal  of  influential  members,  the 
society  found  theinselves  burdened  with  a  debt  of  $7,000  in 
1834.  They  surrendered  their  house  of  worship  to  the 
newly  organized  Second  Baptist  Church,  they,  in  consid- 
eration, assumed  and  paid  the  debts  of  the  houseless  church, 
which  soon  found  shelter  in  the  hall  of  the  High  School 
building  at  the  corner  of  Temple  and  Lancaster  streets. 
This  they  occupied  while  they  were  erecting  a  stone  church 
on  the  south  side  of  Main  street,  a  few  rods  west  of  Stone 
street,  in  1837.     Here  they  found  rest  and  prosperity  until 


254         HISTORY  OF  ROCHESTER  PRESBYTERY. 

the  church  was  destroyed  by  a  sweeping  iire,  originated  by 
a  rocket  on  the  occasion  of  celebrating  the  laying  of  the 
Atlantic  telegraph  cable,  Aug.  17,  1858. 

The  church  in  its  homeless  condition  next  obtained 
shelter  in  "Palmer's  Hall,"  fronting  the  sonth  end  of 
North  avenue,  until  they  bought  the  High  School  lot  and 
erected  a  stone  edifice  and  chapel  costing  $38,000.  This  was 
completed  and  dedicated  for  use  in  the  fall  of  1859.  They 
occupied  this  place  until  they  sold  it  to  the  Unitarian 
Society  in  1883,  and  till  they  had  erected  their  present 
chapel  at  the  corner  of  East  avenue  and  Meigs  street.  This 
property  is  valued  at  $50,000. 

Twelve  members  of  this  church  liavfe  entered  the  ministi-y, 
viz.  :  Samuel  M.  Baylis,  T.  Eeave  Chipman,  Jonathan 
Copeland,  Eugene  Cheeseman,  Richard  DeForest,  Albert 
G.  Hall,  Gavin  Longmuir,  Hezekiah  B.  Pierpont,  Charles 
Ray,  Edward  Ray,  Charles  W.  Wood,  and  James  White. 

The  Ladies'  Missionary  Society  was  organized  in  1876  ; 
this  raised  in  the  past  year  $628,  and  their  social  society, 
$121:.  The  church  also  has  an  efficient  working  society  of 
Young  People's  Christian  Endeavor. 


FIRST  PRESBYTERIAN  FREE  CHURCH. 

"The  First  Presbyterian  Free  Church  and  Society  in 
Rochester"  was  organized  in  the  school  room  of  Frardvlin 
House,  Rochester,  March  28th,  1832. 

On  April  19,  1832,  the  Presbytery  of  Rochester, 
appointed  a  commission  consisting  of  Rev.  Alfred  E.  Camp- 
bell, Rev.  Charles  E.  Firman,  Rev.  Silas  Pratt  and  Elders 
Levi  Ward,  Jr.,  and  Selah  Mathews,  who  met  in  the 
Third  Presbyterian  Church  in  Rochester,  April  25,  and 
organized  the  following  46  persons  into  a  church  :  Amelia 
Brown,    Jolm    Calhoun,    Rufus     Colton,    Henry    Camp- 


msTORY  OF  rochf:stkii  i'resbytkky.  255 

bell,  Francis  Dana,  Jr.,  Hannah  Dana,  Pliineas  Danforth, 
Nason  Danfortli.  Ann  Danforth,  Mary  Dobbin,  Mary  Ann 
Dobbin,  Sarah  Deming,  Elisha  Ely,  Hannah  Ely,  Alexander 
L.  Ely,  Caroline  Ely,  John  Gorton,  Caleb  K.  Hol)bie, 
Clarisa  Hobl)ie.  Maria  Hobbie,  Aaron  Hall,  Betsey  Hall, 
Sally  Ann  Hall,  Ruthy  Hall,  Nathaniel  Hayward,  Rachel 
Hay  ward,  Adeline  L.  Hayward,  Joanna  Hammond,  Lucinda 
T.  House,  Nathan  Lyman,  Phebe  Miller,  Maria  McDonald, 
Ann  Moore,  Sarah  Newcomb,  Hosea  Pratt,  Lucinda  Pratt, 
Eliza  Padden,  Ashbel  W.  Riley,  William  Stebbins,  Jr., 
John  Tompkins,  Maria  Vallette,  Jane  Voorhis,  Manly  S. 
Woodbury,  Amelia  Woodbury,  Esther  Willard  and  Sarah 
Willson.     Caleb  K.  Hobbie  was  elected  as  elder. 

Soon  after  the  society  was  organized,  a  house  of  worship 
was  built  for  their  use  by  Ashbel  W^.  Riley  on  the  north- 
east corner  of  Court  and  Stone  streets,  which  was  dedicated 
Jan.  1, 1833.  Rev.  Gilbert  Morgan  preached  on  the  occasion 
from  the  text  John  8,  36.  March  1,  1833,  Marcus  Holmes 
and  Nathan  Hayward  were  elected  elders.  On  tlie  12th 
of  that  month,  Rev.  Luke  Lyons  was  installed  pastor  of  this 
church. 

In  the  latter  part  of  this  year,  a  division  in  the  Congrega- 
tional Church  of  Brighton,  resulted  in  31  of  their  members 
withdrawing  and  uniting  with  this  church  at  one  time  ; 
others  followed  later. 

July  7,  1834,  the  following  persons  were  elected  elders: 
Samuel  Beckwith,  Phineas  A.  Danforth,  Asahel  Fitch, 
John  Gray,  Richard  B.  Huntley,  Ashbel  W.  Riley  and 
W.  G.  Squires.  On  20th  of  that  month,  Messrs.  Fitch,  Gray, 
Huntley  and  Riley  were  ordained,  and  on  the  16th  of  Nov., 
Messrs.  Beckwith  and  Squires  were  ordained. 

Sept,  Ir,  1836,  the  Presbytery  of  Rochester  dissolved  the 
the  pastoral  relation  between  Rev.  Luke  Lyons  and  the  First 
Free  Presbyterian  Church.  On  the  1st  of  April,  1836,  the 
church    i-eported    to     Presbytery,    425    members    (which 


256  HISTORY    OF    ROCHESTER    PRESBYTERY. 

report  corresponds  with  their  session  book).  Soon  after 
tliat  a  spirit  of  discontent  prevailed,  resulting  in  many 
cases  of  discipline  and  much  agitation  on  the  subjects 
of  slavery  and  intemjjerance.  At  short  intervals  elders 
resigned  and  new  ones  were  elected.  There  was  a  constant 
drawing  off  of  members,  many  returning  to  the  Third  Church, 
and  to  the  Brighton  Church  from  which  they  had  come. 
March  19,  1838,  tlie  session  authorized  elder  Richard  B. 
Huntley  to  give  letters  of  dismission  to  all  those  who  were 
known  to  be  members  in  good  and  regular  standing  ;  and 
the  last  record  made  by  the  clerk  was,  that  with  a  number 
of  others  he  had  given  letters  of  dismission  to  elders 
William  Shepard,  Nathaniel  Hay  ward,  Samuel  Beckwith, 
Asahel  Fitch  and  hiutself.  The  church  was  disbanded, 
June  26,  1838. 

The  society  records  cannot  be  found.  No  names  of  trustees 
at  the  organization  of  the  society  are  in  the  session  book. 
In  1834:,  Richard  B.  Huntley  and  Ashbel  W.  Riley  are 
mentioned  as  trustees. 

Mr.  Riley  had  given  the  society  a  deed  of  a  lot  with  a 
framed  church  on  the  northeast  corner  of  Court  and  Stone 
streets,  which  was  afterward  sold  on  the  foreclosure  of  a 
prior  mortgage  made  by  Mr.  Riley.  The  building  was 
closed  against  the  society,  and  during  the  latter  part  of  their 
existence  they  met  in  the  chamber  of  a  wagon  shop  on  the 
west  side  of  South  St.  Paul  street  and  south  of  Court  street. 


ROCHESTER  CENTRAL. 

The  Bethel  Free  Church  was  organized  August  4,  1836, 
with  39  members,  who  presented  certificates  from  the  First 
Church.  It  was  organized  on  the  following  basis :  "  A 
Missionary   Church    established   upon    the    principles    of 


niSTORY    OF    ROCHESTER    PRESBYTKKV.  257 

Christian  consecration  and  devotedness."  "  A  free  church, 
embracing  also  a  Bethel  interest."  "  Open  for  discussion 
on  all  moral  topics,  such  as  temperance,  slavery,  etc." 
"  The  control  of  the  church  in  its  secular  as  well  as  its 
spiritual  relations  to  be  vested  in  the  church  exclusively." 

The  names  of  the  original  members  were  as  follows  : 
George  A.  Avery,  Frances  Avery,  Thomas  Adams,  Cornelia 
S.  Adams,  Michael  B.  Bateham,  John  Priden,  Jr.,  William 
S.  Bishop,  John  F.  Bush,  William  Cook,  Lydia  Cook,  Mary 
M.  Cook,  Spencer  Davis,  Eliza  Davis,  Joseph  Farley, 
Walter  S.  Griffith,  Elizabeth  S.  Griffith,  Henry  D.  Griffith, 
Theodore  B.  Hamilton,  Julia  M  Hamilton,  Lydia  Hatch, 
Fanny  E.  Hatch,  Ebenezer  Knapp,  Polly  Knapp,  Apollos 
Luce,  Josiah  Newell,  Mary  Newell,  Mary  Jane  Porter, 
Preston  Smith,  Eliza  N.  Smith,  William  P.  Smith,  Eunice 
Smith,  Henry  F.  Smith,  John  Still,  Louisa  Still,  Newell  A. 
Stone,  Joseph  Stone,  Nancy  Stone,  Richard  P.  Wilkins  and 
Mary  P.  Wilkins.  The  first  elders  ordained  were  George 
A.  Avery,  Walter  S.  Griffith  and  Preston  Smith. 

The  present  elders  ai'e  Lewis  H.  Ailing,  William  Ailing, 
Henry  Churchill,  Darius  L.  Covill,  Frank  M.  Ellery,  Heman 
Glass,  John  N.  Harder,  William  A.  Hubbard,  William  A. 
Hubbard,  Jr.,  Alonzo  L.  Mabbett,  Samuel  Sloan  and  Henry 
Wray. 

The  first  pastor  was  Rev.  George  S.  Boardman,  M'ho 
began  his  labors,  7th  of  May,  1837,  was  installed  Oct.  19, 
1837,  was  dismissed  June  28,  1842 ;  under  his  charge  the 
church  grew  to  a  membership  of  239  on  Jan.  1,  1842. 

June  28,  1843,  the  church  withdrew  from  the  Presbytery 
and  became  independent.  June  3,  1844,  it  voted  to  return 
to  Presbytery,  and  was  received  July  20,  1844. 

From  July,  1842,  until  Feb.  1,  1845,  the  church  M'as  sup- 
plied by  Rev.  Messrs.  John  T.  Avery,  George  W.  Bassitt, 
George  R.  II.  Shumway,  Frederick  W.  Graves  and  Parsons 
C.  Hastings. 


258  HISTORY    OF    ROCHESTER    PRESBYTERY. 

The  second  pastor,  Kev.  Milo.  J.  Hickok,  began  his  labors 
Feb.  1,  1845,  was  installed  Feb.  25,  1845,  and  continued 
until  March  15,  1854. 

The  third  pastor,  Rev.  Frank  F.  Ellinwood,  began  his 
work  Nov.  4,  1854,  was  installed  Jan.  9, 1856,  and  continued 
until  Jan.  24,  1866. 

The  fourth  pastor,  Samuel  M.  Cani]ibell,  D.  D.,  began  his 
labors  March  1,  1866,  was  installed  June  14,  1866,  and  was 
dismissed  April  11,  1881. 

Eev.  Theodore  W.  Hopkins  was  elected  pastor  Sept.  5, 
1881,  and  labored  as  such  until  June  12,  1887,  when  he 
withdrew.  From  that  date  till  the  1st  of  March,  1888,  the 
pulpit  was  supplied  mainly  by  Professor  James  S.  Riggs  of 
Auburn  Theological  Seminary.  March  11,  1888,  Henry  H. 
Stebbins,  D.  D.,  began  his  labors,  and  was  installed  April 
17,  1888. 

The  Sunday  school  of  18  scholars  was  organized  in  the 
Crane  school  house  on  Sophia  street  on  the  first  meeting  of 
the  church,  Aug.  12,  1836,  and  has  continued  in  vigorous 
existence.  It  has  supplied  to  the  church  a  majority  of  those 
who  have  united  with  it  on  confession.  Its  first  superin- 
tendent was  Walter  S.  Griffith.  Its  present  one  is  Joseph  T. 
Ailing.     The  present  membership)  is  750. 

In  the  spring  of  1856,  a  Sunday  school  was  organized  by 
William  S.  Bishop  in  a  hall  on  the  south  side  of  Buffalo 
street  (now  West  avenue),  fronting  Canal  street,  in  a  block 
owned  by  Joel  B.  Bennett.  It  was  manned  by  teachers  from 
several  churches,  but  mostly  from  this  church.  Dec.  25, 
1859,  this  school  was  discontinued  to  unite  with  a  school 
from  the  Champion  district  in  forming  the  school  organized 
Jan.  8,  1860,  in  a  brick  chapel,  which  is  now  a  part  of  West- 
minster church.  Sept.  2,  1862,  a  society  was  incorporated 
called  "  The  West  Avenue  Chapel."  Its  trustees  were  Joel 
B.  Bennett,  Samuel  Dix,  Stephen  Coleman,  Henry  L. 
Churchill  and  Lewis  H.  Ailing. 


HISTORY    OF    ROCUESTER     PRESBYTERY.  259 

In  1 861),  a  Mission  Sunday  school  was  organized  in  Dis- 
trict No.  7  school  house  on  Lake  avenue.  William  A. 
Hubbard  was  its  first  superintendent.  A  chapel  was  built 
by  the  members  of  Central  Church,  at  the  corner  of  Fulton 
avenue  and  Locust  street,  at  a  cost  of  $7,000.  It  was 
dedicated  Aug.  11,  1874.  It  was  in  this  chapel  that  the 
Nortli  Church  was  organized  Feb.  12,  1884. 

A  Woman's  Missionary  Society  of  the  Central  Church 
was  organized  Sept.  30,  1872,  which  has  contributed 
annually  from  $300  to  $700  for  Home  and  Foreign  Mis- 
sions. 

The  "  Jenny  Lush  Missionary  Society,"  organized  in  Feb., 
1876,  was  organized  for  the  special  purpose  of  supporting 
her  while  a  missionary  in  Africa. 

The  "Do  What  You  Can  Mission  Band,''  a  children's 
society,  organized  Dec,  1884,  contributes  to  mission  work 
generally. 

The  Society  of  Christian  Endeavor  was  organized  in 
March,  1882,  and  has  grown  into  great  influence  and  use- 
fulness. It  has  a  membership  of  256,  Its  contribution  to 
benevolence  in  188b  was  $885.  It  also  has  a  branch  of 
"  King's  Daughters." 

In  the  winter  and  spring  of  1842,  Rev.  Charles  G.  Finney, 
in  connection  with  the  pastor.  Rev.  George  S.  Boardman, 
conducted  a  series  of  revival  meetings  resulting  in  large 
acquisitions  to  the  church.  In  the  winter  and  spring  of  1857, 
this  church  united  with  the  Brick  and  Plymouth  churches 
in  revival  meetings  under  Mr.  Finney's  preaching,  which 
were  also  greatly  blessed.  In  the  spring  of  1860,  special 
efforts,  under  the  pastorate  of  Rev.  Frank  F.  Ellinwood, 
were  greatly  blessed,  resulting  in  the  addition  of  63  at  the 
April  communion  and  a  total  of  91  in  the  year,  mostly 
from  the  Sunday  school. 

In  April,  1863,  Rev.  Edward  P.  Hannnond  engaged  in  a 
special  effort  in  connection  with  this  and  the  Brick  Church. 


260  HISTORY    OF    ROCHKSTER    PRESBYTERY. 

It  resulted  in  an  addition  to  this  church  at  the  June  commun- 
ion of  136  on  confession.  Again  in  1869,  a  similar  effort 
under  Mr.  Hammond  resulted  in  an  addition  of  65  new 
members.  In  the  spring  of  1886,  this  church  engaged  in  a 
union  effort  with  the  First  and  Brick  churches  under  the 
ministrations  of  Rev.  Edgar  E.  Davidson,  of  Newtonville, 
Mass.  He  preached  daily  in  each  of  the  three  churches, 
two  weeks.  As  a  result  110  new  members  were  added  to  this 
church.  A  similar  effort  was  made  in  the  spring  of  1887. 
It  terminated  suddenly  on  account  of  Mr.  Davidson  being 
called  home  by  sickness  in  his  family.  As  the  fruit  of  this 
effort  58  new  members  were  added. 

"The  Trustees  of  the  Bethel  Free  Presbyterian  Church 
and  Society  "  was  organized,  Aug.  29,  1836.  Its  trustees 
were  Michael  B.  Bateham,  John  Biden,  Jr.,  John  F.  Bush, 
Theodore  B.  Hamilton  and  Samuel  D.  Porter.  April  23, 
1845,  the  society  was  reconstructed  under  the  name  of  "  The 
Trustees  of  the  Washington  Street  Church  in  Rochester," 
Its  trustees  were  Carlton  M.  Avery,  William  W.  Brewster, 
Winthrop  A.  Parker,  Samuel  B.  Stoddard  and  Edward 
Terry.  March  30,  1858,  the  Legislature  of  the  State  of 
New  York  changed  the  name  of  the  church  to  "  The  Cen- 
tral Presbyterian  Church  of  the  City  of  Rochester."  Its 
present  trustees  are  H.  Austin  Brewster,  Isaac  H.  Dewey, 
John  W.  Goss,  Charles  S.  Hastings,  Horace  McGuire, 
Samuel  Sloan,  Henry  F.  Smith,  Charles  A.  Vickery  and 
Louis  L.  Williams. 

The  Bethel  Church  was  built  of  stone  in  1837,  on  the  west 
side  of  Washington  street,  north  of  the  Erie  canal  at  a  cost 
of  $15,000,  In  1844,  it  was  repaired  and  improved  at  a 
cost  of  $3,500.  This  building  was  set  fire  to  in  the  steeple 
by  an  incendiary  in  the  night  and  burned,  Nov.  22,  1861. 
The  lot  is  now  a  coal  yard. 

The  Central  Church  building  was  begun  July  21,  1856, 
and  was  dedicated  April  8,  1858.  Its  size  is  68  by  145 
feet.     Tlie  total  cost  was  $40,000. 


HISTORY  OF  ROCHESTER  PRESBYTERY.         261 

Tlie  following  members  of  this  church  have  entered  the 
ministry :  George  S.  Bishop,  Frederick  Campbell,  Willis 
Clark  Gaylord,  Dullis  D,  Hamilton,  Simon  J.  Humphrey, 
Frederick  J.  Jackson,  Kobert  McLean,  Simon  J.  McPher- 
son,  Daniel  F.  Stewart,  Charles  W.  Torrey  and  Theodore 
B.  Williams. 

The  following  persons  have  gone  from  this  church  as 
Foreign  Missionaries :  Miss  Isabella  Atwater  to  China, 
1847 ;  Miss  Carrie  E.  Bush  to  Eastern  Turkey,  May  28, 
1870  ;  Miss  Jennie  M.  Lush  to  Western  Africa,  Oct.  12, 
1873  ;  Miss  Fannie  M.  Nelson  to  South  Africa,  Nov.,  1846, 
and  Miss  Hattie  Seymour  to  Eastern  Turkey,         1865. 

The  present  membership  is  990.  The  church  is  united 
and  harmonious,  and  under  the  able  leadership  of  its  newly 
settled  pastor,  Henry  H.  Stebbins,  D.  D.,  is  well  equipped 
for  the  Master's  service. 


THE     FIFTH      PPvESBYTERIAN      CHURCH      OF 
ROCHESTER. 

February,  1838,  the  Presbytery  of  Rochester  ajDpointed  a 
commission  consisting  of  Rev.  Tryon  Edwards,  Rev.  George 
S.  Boardman,  Rev.  Richard  De  Forest  and  elder  Benjamin 
Campbell,  to  organize  the  "  Fifth  Presbyterian  Church  in 
the  city  of  Rochester."  On  the  15th  of  that  month  all  the 
commissioners  met  in  the  house  of  Benjamin  Ilerrick  and 
organized  the  following  twelve  persons  into  a  church  : 
Caleb  K.  Hobble,  Benjamin  Herrick,  Cynthia  Herrick, 
Relief  Thorpe,  Mary  Earle,  Ann  Palmer,  Richard  H.  Lee, 
Sarah  P.  Lee,  Almedia  Conkey,  Sarah  Hutchins,  Rachel 
Janes  Chatterton  and  Elizabeth  Doe.  The  new  church  then 
elected  and  ordained  as  their  elders  Caleb  K.  Hobbie  and 
Richard  H.  Lee.  On  May  12,  1840,  Reuben  Hill  was 
ordained  an  elder. 


Zb2  HISTORY    OF    ROCHESTER    PRESBYTERY. 

The  name  of  this  church  was  changed  Feb.  6,  1844,  to 
the  "Fourth  Presbyterian  Church  of  Rochester." 

Rev.  Ricliard  De  Forest  began  his  labors  Math  these 
people  before  their  organization,  Jan.  9,  1837,  and  con- 
tinued with  them  till  May  12,  1840.  Rev.  Jacob  Burbank 
moderated  the  session  June  4,  1843,  and  on  the  last  time 
Jan.  5,  1845.  Rev.  David  L.  Hunn  M^as  employed  as  supply, 
Dec.  7,  1845,  continuing  only  a  short  time.  During  the 
church's  existence  33  members  were  received  on  confession 
and  16  on  certificate,  but  removals  to  a  distance  resulted 
in  such  a  depletion  of  the  church,  that  Feb.  1,  1848,  the 
Presbytery  of  Rochester  disbanded  their  remaining  9 
members. 

In  the  latter  days  of  the  church  the  Presbytery  criticised 
the  "  cession  "  for  '"''incorrect  spellingP  Xo  entries  were 
made  on  their  session  book  after  Jan.  7,  1846.  The  book 
was  examined  by  Presbytery  the  last  time,  Feb.  3,  1847. 

On  the  same  day  the  church  was  organized,  Feb.  15, 
1838,  the  congregation  organized  a  society,  called  the 
Fifth  Presbyterian  Church  of  Rochester,  and  elected  as 
trustees  Caleb  K.  Hobbie,  Elias  Gates  and  Joseph  Gates. 

The  society  built  a  framed  house  of  worship  on  the  east 
side  of  the  road  a  few  rods  south  of  Norton  street.  After 
the  church  was  disbanded  their  house  of  worship  was  sold 
and  removed  to  the  corner,  then  of  Atwater,  now  Central 
avenue,  and  Leopold  street ;  where  it  was  for  many  years 
occupied  by  a  "  Holland  Dutch  "  church  ;  it  has  since  l^een 
used  for  livery  stable,  the  congregation  having  removed  to  a 
building  on   Oregon  street. 


HISTORY    OF    ROCHESTER    PRESBYTERY.  263 

ROCHESTER  ST.  PETER'S. 

This  church  originated  in  the  thought  and  benevolence  of 
Hon.  Levi  A.  Ward.  The  corner-stone  was  laid  June  7, 
1852,  and  the  edifice  completed  at  a  cost  of  $32,500,  was  ded- 
icated Oct.  25,  1853.  Soon  after  a  chime  of  nine  bells  was 
hung  in  the  tower  of  the  church  by  Mr.  Ward.  The  first  reg- 
ular Sabbath  service  was  held  in  the  church  Oct.  3, 1853,  and 
the  first  celebration  of  the  holy  communion,  May  14,  1854. 
'  On  the  12th  day  of  December,  1853,  a  special  meeting  of 
the  Presbytery  of  Rochester  City  was  held  in  the  chapel  of 
the  church,  at  which  meeting  the  following  twenty-eight 
persons  were  constitued  by  the  Presbytery,  the  "  St.  Peter's 
Presbyterian  Church  of  the  City  of  Rochester  :  " 

Lowel  Butler,  Mrs.  Cliloe  Butler,  Mrs.  Emily  R. 
Beckwith,  Jane  Bradbury,  Mrs.  Emily  Chumasero,  John  S. 
Dean,  Mrs.  Chloe  Dean,  Mrs.  Caroline  B.  Dwinell, 
Lorenzo  D.  Ely,  Mrs.  Caroline  C.  Ely,  Mrs.  Mary  A. 
Holyland,  Ellen  M.  Kemp,  James  Murray,  Mrs.  Pesinah 
Murray,  Ann  E.  Murray,  Mrs.  Caroline  E.  McAlpine,  Mrs. 
Betsey  L.  Oothout,  Edward  A.  Raymond,  Mrs.  Eugenia  C. 
Raymond,  Samuel  B.  Raymond,  Mrs.  Harriet  M. 
Raymond,  Mrs.  Susan  M.  Selden,  Levi  A.  Ward,  Mrs. 
Harriet  Ward,  Mary  E.  Ward,  William  H.  Ward,  John  F. 
Whitbeck  and  Mrs.  Elizabeth  A.  Whitbeck. 

In  connection  with  this  meeting,  Edward  A.  Raymond 
and  Levi  A.  Ward  were  elected  elders,  and  they  were 
ordained  as  such  on  the  first  day  of  January,  1854.  Four 
years  later  the  session  was  enlarged  by  the  election  of 
Hiram  Banker  and  William  Slocum. 

The  present  session  is  as  follows  :  Harvey  W.  Brown, 
Henry  C.  Clark,  Ira  C.  Goodridge,  Edwin  S.  Hay  ward, 
Sidney  A.  Newman,  Jonathan  E.  Pierpont,  Richard  E. 
White. 


264  HISTORY    OF    ROCHESTER     PRESBYTERY. 

Originally  the  elders  were  chosen  to  serve  for  life,  but  at 
present  the  term  of  active  service  is  three  years. 

Deacons  were  first  elected  Nov.  10,  1858,  but  none  were 
ordained  till  April  2-t,  1864,  when  Joseph  B.  Ward,  and 
Marcus  K.  Woodbury  were  set  apart  to  this  office,  since 
which  time  others  have  been  chosen  as  needed. 

The  first  stated  supplies  of  their  pulpit  were  Hev.  T. 
Coit  and  Rev.  Leonard  W.  Bacon.  Rev.  Richard  H. 
Richardson  was  installed  May  4,  1856,  and  dismissed  Dec. 
3,  1857 ;  Rev.  Joseph  H.  Towne  was  installed  May,  1858, 
and  dismissed  March  7, 1 860 ;  Rev.  John  T.  Coit  was  installed 
June  1,  1860,  and  died  when  on  a  visit  at  Albion,  Jan.  23, 
1863  ;  Rev.  Edwin  Dorr  Yeomans  was  installed  June  7, 
1863,  resigned  April  28,  1867,  and  was  dismissed  May  1, 
1867.  He  died  at  Orange,  N.  J.,  Aug.  27,  1868.  John 
M.  Crowell,  D.  D.,  was  installed  May  16,  1869,  and  dis- 
missed Dec.  4,  1870  ;  Rev.  Asa  S.  Fiske  was  installed  Jan. 
1,  1872,  and  dismissed  Sept.  12,  1875  ;  Rev.  Herman  C. 
Riggs,  D.  D.,  was  installed  April  2,  1876,  and  dismissed 
Sept.  24,  1885  ;  Rev.  Alfred  J.  Hutton,  the  present  pastor, 
began  his  labors,  Oct.  16,  1887,  and  was  installed  on  the 
following  15th  day  of  November. 

Several  seasons  of  special  religious  awakening  have 
been  enjoyed  by  the  church,  the  most  marked  being  in  the 
pastorates  of  the  Rev.  Drs.  Yeomans  and  Riggs.  The  main 
growth  of  St.  Peters  Church  has  been,  however,  rather  by 
smaller  and  more  frequent  accessions.  The  whole  number 
received  during  the  thirty-five  years  is  925,  of  whom,  420 
were  received  on  confession,  and  505  by  certificate.  The 
present  membership  is  486. 

The  St.  Peter's  Church  Congregation  was  incorporated 
Nov.  7,  1853,  at  which  time  the  following  persons  were 
chosen  trustees :  Josiah  W.  Bissell,  Charles  H.  Clarke, 
Lorenzo  D.  Ely,  Charles  A.  Jones,  Belden  R.  McAlpine, 
Samuel  B.  Raymond,  Samuel  L.  Selden,  Jerome  B, 
Stillson  and  Charles  P.  Smith. 


HISTORY    OF    ROCHESTER     PRESBYTERY.  2P)5 

The  present  board  is  as  follows :  Frederick  P.  Allen, 
Henry  C.  Brewster,  James  G.  Cutler,  William  H.  Farrand, 
Alexander  E.  Hayden,  William  S.  Kimball,  William  H. 
Ward,  Howard  L.  Smith. 

On  the  4th  day  of  June,  1860,  Mr.  Levi  A.  Ward 
conveyed  the  church  property  by  a  duly  executed  deed  to 
the  board  of  trustees  for  the  nominal  sum  of  $20,000, 
donating  the  remaining  $12,500  personally  to  the  society. 
On  the  8th  of  March,  1868,  the  building  so  conveyed  was 
destroyed  by  fire,  and  ten  months  later  it  was  replaced  by 
the  present  building,  at  a  cost  of  $49,000.  Not  long  after 
the  original  chime  of  bells  was  also  replaced  by  a  larger  one, 
of  twelve  bells,  at  a  cost  of  $4,000. 

The  Sunday  school  was  organized  contemporaneously 
with  the  church.  Mr.  Edward  A.  Raymond  was  its  first 
superintendent  The  school,  though  never  so  large  as 
some  others  of  the  city,  has  always  been  prosperous  in  the 
best  sense  of  the  word,  and  never  was  more  so  than  now, 
under  its  present  superintendent,  Mr.  Sidney  A.  Newman. 

A  Ladies'  Benevolent  Society  has  also  existed  almost 
from  the  beo^inning. 

A  Young  Ladies'  Society  was  formed  in  IS 76. 

On  the  2d  Oct.,  1877,  the  Woman's  Missionary  Society 
was  organized  with  fifteen  members,  and  under  the  presi- 
dency of  Mrs.  Sarah  U.  A.  Dolley,  M.  D.,  this  society  has 
held  regular  monthly  meetings  and  has  greatly  increased 
the  missionary  activity  of  the  church.  Mrs.  Dolley  is  still 
its  efficient  and  accomplished  president. 

As  a  complete  record  of  the  finances  from  the  bee-innino- 
does  not  exist,  the  statement  must  be  approximate.  The 
aggregate  of  society  congregational  expenses  for  the  thirty- 
five  years  is  very  nearly  $290,000,  and  that  of  benevolence, 
about  $40,650, 


266  HISTORY    OF    ROCHESTER    PRESBYTERY. 


NORTH  STATE  STREET  CHURCH. 

"  The  Trustees  of  the  Lower  Falls  Presbyterian  Society  " 
were  organized,  Dec.  6.  1852.  Their  first  trustees  were 
Adam  Aldrich,  Gideon  Leavenworth,  Robert  Roberts, 
Oliver  Brooks  and  C.  C.  Vancanon.  Rev.  Archibald 
Furgerson  was  active  in  canvassing  for  funds  for  the  erec- 
tion of  a  house  of  worship,  and  R.  Graham  King  donated  a 
lot  for  the  same,  located  on  the  east  side  of  State  street  a 
few  rods  north  of  Phelps  avenue,  conditioned  that  if  for  the 
term  of  two  consecutive  years  it  should  cease  to  be  used  for 
a  Presbyterian  church  it  should  revert  to  the  donor  or  his 
heirs.  This  resulted  in  the  erection  of  a  small  framed 
building  with  a  steeple.  For  about  one  year,  Mr.  Furgerson 
was  the  stated  supply  of  the  church.  After  that  the  Rev. 
James  Harkness  supplied  them  about  three  years. 

At  a  meeting  of  Presbytery  held  in  Brockport,  April  27, 
1854,  Rev.  Messrs.  Joshua  H.  Mcllvain,  Albert  G.  Hall 
and  Archibald  Furgerson  were  appointed  a  commission  to 
organize  a  church  at  Lower  Falls  if  the  way  be  open.''  On 
the  4th  of  Oct.,  1854,  "  Said  commission  reported  the 
organization  of  the  JS'orth  State  Street  Church." 

Eiforts  were  made  in  1S75  to  find  society  or  session 
records  ;  none  were  found  or  heard  of  ;  nor  do  the  records 
of  Presbytery  show  any  dissolution  of  the  church. 

In  the  General  Assembly  minutes  of  1855,  the  name  of 
the  church  is  published  without  its  statistics.  In  1856,  the 
church  is  reported  with  75  members  ;  in  1857,  as  having 
42  members ;  in  1858,  as  having  53  members,  and  in  1859, 
as  having  only  15  members  and  vacant.  The  name  of  the 
church  was  dropped  from  the  roll  in  1862. 

The  number  and  names  of  the  original  members  are  not 
known.     Samuel  Benton  was  ordained  their  first  elder. 


HISTORY    OF    ROCHESTER    PRESBYTERY.  267 

Mr,  Harkness  being  discouraged,  discontinued  supplying 
the  church,  while  a  Sunday  school  was  continued  in  it.  He 
preached  for  a  time  to  an  unorganized  congregation  in 
the  small  brick  church  that  stood  on  west  side  of  State 
street  a  few  rods  south  of  Brown  street,  that  had  been 
built  for  the  North  Congregational  Church  under  the  pastor- 
ate of  Rev.  Henry  Peck.  The  building  is  now  occupied  as 
a  store  house. 

In  the  night  of  July  24,  1864,  the  church  of  the  Lower 
Falls  society  took  fire  in  the  steeple  from  burning  shingles 
blown  from  the  burning  coopers  shop  of  the  Western  House 
of  Refuge. 

In  due  time  the  lot  reverted  to  the  King  estate  according 
to  the  terms  of  the  original  deed. 


ROCHESTER  CALVARY. 

Rochester  Calvary  was  organized  June  L5,  1856,  with  the 
following  sixteen  members :  James  S.  Badger,  Catherine 
Badger,  Eliza  A.  Barrett,  James  Barton,  Charles  Barton, 
Elizabeth  Blunn,  William  T.  Cushing,  Mrs.  Arabella  Cusli- 
ing,  Henrietta  Dempsey,  Mrs.  Olive  Howes,  Helen  M. 
Howes,  Mrs  Mary  Ingraham,  William  Stebbins,  Mrs.  Eliza 
B.  Stebbins,  Mrs.  Hannah  Ray  and  Mrs.  Jane  G.  Stolhoff. 

The  first  eldei's  were  William  Stebbins  and  William  T. 
Cushing.  The  present  elders  are  Thomas  Oliver,  Franklin 
S.  Stebbins  and  Franklin  T.  Skinner.  All  were  elected 
without  limit  as  to  term.  The  church  has  never  had 
deacons. 

The  first  pastor  installed  immediately  after  the  organiza- 
tion of  the  church,  July  30,  1856,  was  Rev.  Charles  Ray, 
who  was  dismissed  Aug.  15,  1858.  Rev,  James  Nichols 
was   soon  after  employed  as  supply   until    April  7,  1861, 


268  HISTORY    OF    ROCHESTER    PRESBYTERY. 

when  Rev.  Belville  Roberts  was  elected  and  installed  pas- 
tor. He  was  dismissed  June  25,  1865.  Rev.  Alfred 
Yeomans  succeeded  him,  and  was  dismissed  in  April,  1867. 
Rev.  Herbert  W.  Morris,  D.  D.,  wlio  succeeded  him,  was 
installed  June  11,  1867,  and  remained  until  May  3, 1877. 
Soon  after  that.  Rev.  Edward  P.  Gardner  took  charge  of 
the  pulpit  until  the  next  December,  when  he  accepted  a  call 
from  Portland,  Maine.  On  Jan.  1,  1878,  Rev.  Edward 
Bristol  commenced  his  labors  as  pastor  elect.  He  was  not 
installed,  but  continued  to  supply  the  pulj)it  till  the  close 
of  1889. 

The  Sunday  school  was  organized  early  in  1856,  and  has 
continued  until  the  present  time.  At  first  the  attendance  was 
small,  but  it  has  steadily  advanced  until  it  now  numbers 
more  than  200  scholars.  It  is  well  organized  under  earnest 
and  competent  teachers.  In  the  fall  of  1874,  for  the  accom- 
modation of  the  school  and  meetings  for  social  worship, 
it  was  resolved  to  build  a  chapel  in  close  proximity  to  the 
church.  The  work  was  commenced  the  last  of  November 
and  completed  by  the  first  of  February.  This  was  accom- 
plished mainly  by  donated  materials  and  gratuitous  labor 
solicited  by  the  pastor.  The  balance  of  the  whole  expense, 
$1,200,  was  raised  by  the  Sabbath  school.  The  school  has 
furnished  to  the  church  many  active  and  earnest  members. 

The  Ladies'  Missionaiy  Society  is  an  efficient  body. 
They  are  now  educating  a  girl  in  Alaska,  and  a  boy  who 
bears  the  name  of  Edward  Bristol,  the  pastor  of  this  church. 

The  Young  People's  Society  of  Christian  Endeavor  is 
connected  with  the  general  organization  of  that  name  in  the 
city.  Its  meetings  are  well  attended,  and  they  are  doing 
their  share  in  the  good  work. 

There  have  been  several  seasons  of  special  religious  inter- 
est in  the  history  of  this  church.  The  first  notable  one  was 
in  January,  1874,  when  22  were  admitted  to  membership  on 
confession  of  their  faith  ;  in  April  following  19  ;  in  Feb- 


HISTORY    OF    ROCHESTER    PRESBYTERY.  260 

ruary,  1876,  7  ;  in  December  of  same  year  16,  and  in  Septem 
ber,"l883,9. 

At  the  commencement  of  Calvary  Church  in  1856,  the 
society  took  the  building  formerly  occupied  by  and  belonging 
to  the  St.  Paul  Street  Congregational  Church.  It  was  con- 
siderably in  debt.  During  the  pastorate  of  Rev.  Belville 
Roberts,  he  succeeded  in  raising  sufficient  money  to  pay  it 
off,  but  as  the  building  was  old  and  unsuitable  for  the  grow- 
ing necessities  of  the  church  and  community,  Rev.  Dr. 
Morris  took  the  great  labor  upon  himself  of  raising  sufficient 
money  to  re-model  and  re-build  the  church,  which  he  accom- 
plished, and  the  present  neat  and  handsome  structure  stands 
as  the  gratifying  result  of  enterprise,  activity  and  faith. 
Dr.  Morris,  not  content  with  his  great  success  in  rebuilding 
the  church,  built  also,  as  above  stated,  a  chapel  on  the  lot  in 
the  rear  (south)  of  the  church,  raising  for  both  objects 
something  over  $9,000. 

This  chapel  was  used  by  the  church  for  nearly  fourteen 
years,  when  it  was  torn  down  to  make  room  for  the  larger 
and  more  commodious  building  now  connected  with  the 
church,  which  was  started  and  carried  to  completion  by  the 
Sunday  school  at  a  cost  of  about  $4,800.  The  dimensions 
of  the  lot  are  74  by  165  feet,  covered  entirely  by  the  church 
and  chapel  except  a  small  space  in  front.  The  church  stands 
on  the  corner  of  South  avenue  and  Hamilton  place  in  the 
most  desirable  part  of  the  Twelfth  ward.  This  j^art  of 
the  city  is  increasing  in  population  and  wealth. 


ROCHESTER  WESTMINSTER. 

On  June  29,  1856,  a  union  Sunday  school  called  the 
Buffalo  Street  Mission  was  organized  in  a  hall  belonging  to 
Joel  B.  Bennett,  on  the  south  side  of  Buffalo  street,  front- 
ing the  south  end  of   Canal  street.     August  10,  1858,  the 


270  HISTORY    OF    ROCHESTER   PRESBYTERY. 

Westiniiister  Presbyterian  Chapel  was  incorporated.  The 
trustees  were  Albert  Aldrich,  James  Rugs  and  William 
Charles.  Its  teachers  were  mostly  from  the  Brick  and 
Central  churches.  William  S.  Bishop  was  its  first  superin- 
tendent. The  school  continued  its  sessions  until  Dec.  25, 
1859.  May  24,  1857,  a  Sunday  school  called  the  Bull's 
Head  Mission  was  organized  in  a  building  that  had  been  a 
tavern  standing  at  the  southwest  corner  of  Buffalo  and 
York  streets.  The  tavern  had  been  bought  by  Aristarchus 
Cliampion  and  altered  to  adapt  it  so  far  as  possible  to  the 
wants  of  a  Sunday  school.  John  H.  Thompson  was  its 
superintendent.  Its  teachers  were  mostly  from  the  Brick 
Church.  George  W.  Mackie,  a  student  in  theology,  was 
employed  part  of  the  time  to  visit  in  the  neighborhood  and 
to  conduct  religious  meetings  in  the  house.  The  school 
was  closed  Dec.  25,  1859.  During  its  continuance  it  had 
426  different  scholars. 

Jan.  8,  1860,  a  large  portion  of  the  above  mentioned 
two  schools  assembled  in  a  chapel  whicli  had  recently  been 
completed  and  is  a  part  of  the  present  Westminster  Church. 
The  school  was  first  superintended  by  George  W.  Parsons 
and  later  by  Henry  L.  Churchill.  The  school  varied  in 
attendance  but  had  a  roll  of  more  than  500  members.  In 
May,  1861,  Mr.  Champion  employed  Rev.  Anson  Gleason 
for  one  year  to  ofiiciate  as  supply  and  local  missionary. 

Sept.  29,  1859,  the  West  Avenue  Cliapel  was  organized. 
Its  incorporation  was  recorded  Oct.  6,  1859.  Its  trustees 
were  Joel  B.  Bennett,  Samuel  Dix,  Stephen  Coleman, 
Henry  L.  Churchill  and  Lewis  H.  Ailing. 

July  12,  1875,  the  society  name  was  changed,  by  order  of 
court,  to  the  Westminster  Church. 

After  Mr.  Gleason  closed  liis  labors,  continuous  services 
were  held  with  good  results.  For  six  months  just  preced- 
ing the  organization  of  the  Westminster  Church,  Mrs.  L.  A. 
Shepard,  of  Utica,  visited  in  the  vicinity  and  held  prayer 
meetings  which  resulted  in  many  conversions. 


HISTORY    OF    ROCHESTER    PRESBYTERY.  271 

On  Sunday  evening,  April  5,  1868,  in  the  Central  Church 
82  of  their  members  were  dismissed  and  constituted  the 
Westminster  Church,  under  the  care  of  Rev.  Henry  M. 
Morey,  late  of  Pittsford.  The  new  organization  held  its 
first  meeting  in  their  place  of  worshij)  on  the  following  12th 
of  April,  1868.  Their  first  elders  were  ,George  N.  Mitchell 
and  Truman  A.  Clark, 

Mr.  Morey  was  called  to  the  pastorate  April  5,  1871,  and 
installed  on  the  27th  of  the  same  month.  He  resigned  Oct. 
2,  1874,  and  was  dismissed  on  the  20th  of  the  same  month. 

Rev.  Corlis  B.  Gardner  was  called  from  Cuba,  N.  Y., 
Nov.  30,  1874;  began  his  services  Jan.  3,  1875,  and  was 
installed  Feb.  4,  1875,  and  continues  its  pastor. 

The  elders  now  are  John  M.  Cheeseman,  James  L. 
Tarrant,  Harvey  B.  Graves,  William  F,  Parry,  Benjamin 
H.  Hill  and  Jeremiah  B.  Whitbeck. 

The  lot  on  which  West  Avenue  Chapel  was  built,  66  by  165 
feet,  was  valued  at  $800  and  was  the  joint  gift  of  Aristar- 
clms  Champion  and  Joel  B.  Benett.  The  chapel,  of  brick, 
40  by  60  feet,  was  built  at  a  cost  of  $1,700  and  was  dedicated 
Jan.  1,  1860.  In  1867  the  chapel  M^as  improved  and  re- 
furnished at  an  expense  of  $1,000.  In  the  summer  and  fall 
of  1870  it  was  rebuilt  and  enlarged  into  a  church  audience 
room  and  chapel,  each  40  by  70  feet,  at  a  cost  of  $10,174.  The 
new  edifice  was  dedicated  Jan.  26,  1871.  The  property  is 
now  valued  at  $16,000.  The  present  trustees  are  George  P. 
Bortle,  Eber  R.  Clark,  Warren  B.  Huther,  Charles  K. 
Newbury,  William  F.  Parry,  Julius  H.  Reinhard  and  James 
F.  Parry. 

The  church  doubled  its  membership  in  the  first  year, 
having  received  65  on  confession  and  18  on  certificates.  In 
the  fall  of  1873  Rev.  Orson  Parker  performed  evangelistic 
work  which  resulted  in  receiving  40  members  on  con- 
fession. 

In  the  winter  of    1883-4  a  revival  occurred  under  the 


272  HISTORY    OF    ROCHESTER   PRESBYTERY. 

labors  of  the  pastor  resulting  in  the  further  addition  of  40 
on  confession.  There  were  31  new  members  received  in 
1886.     The  present  number  of  communicants  is  270. 

Missionary  and  other  organizations  have  from  the  begin- 
ning had  liberal  aid,  and  the  monthly  concert  has  always 
been  observed.  The  church  has  a  Woman's  Missionary 
Society  which  was  organized  in  the  spring  of  1884.  The 
Mission  Band  was  organized  in  1876 ;  the  Young  People's 
Society  of  Christian  Endeavor,  Oct.  7,  1883. 

Miss  Jane  M.  Lusk,  a  member  of  this  church,  sailed  as  a 
missionary  to  Africa  in  Oct.,  1873,  She  died  in  Rochester, 
March  28,  1884.  Rev.  John  Q.  Adams,  now  pastor  of 
AVestminster  Church  in  San  Francisco,  was  a  member  of 
this  church  when  pursuing  his  studies. 

The  Sunday  school  at  organization  of  the  church  had  4.55 
members  with  average  attendance  of  250.  It  now  has  400 
enrolled  and  an  average  attendance  of  260. 

The  Eighth  ward,  in  which  this  church  is  located,  was 
erected  in  1845,  and  probably  had  in  1856,  when  the 
Buffalo  Street  Mission  was  begun,  a  population  of  about 
4,000  with  no  Protestant  Sunday  school  or  church  within 
its  bounds.  It  is  now  supposed  to  have  12,000  population 
and  has  2  Presbyterian,  2  Baptist,  1  Episcopal  and  1  Meth- 
odist churches,  notwithstanding  the  six  largest  leading 
churches  of  the  city  are  in  near  proximity  to  this  ward. 


ROCHESTER  MEMORIAL. 

In  1869,  members  of  the  Brick  Church  resolved  to  make 
an  effort  in  the  direction  of  church  extension,  and  after  vis- 
iting various  localities  decided  on  making  a  plant  in  the 
Thirteenth  ward.  The  first  act  was  to  open  a  Sunday 
school  in  the  unfinished  district  school-house  No.    18  on 


MEMORIAL    PRESBYTERIAN    CHURCH,    ROCHESTER. 


HISTORY    OF    KOCHESTEK    rifESIiVTERY.  /    273 

f 

Nortli  and  Draper  streets,  June  13,  1869,  under  tli(y  super- 
intendence of  one  of  their  elders,  Truman  A.  Newton.  The 
pressing  needs  to  use  the  whole  building  for  school  pur- 
poses necessitated  the  vacating  of  the  room  occupied  by  the 
Sunday  school  and  it  was  disbanded. 
\  Soon  after  this  the  Brick  Church  Sunday  school  author- 

ized Louis  Chapin  and  Edwin  T.  Huntington  to  purchase  of 
Hiram  Davis  the  lot  at  the  corner  of  Hudson  and  Wilson 
streets  for  the  purposes  of  a  chapel  at  a  cost  of  $2,600. 

During  this  year  the  General  Assemblies  of  the  "  old  " 
and  "  new  school "  had  at  their  May  meetings  in  New 
York  arranged  preliminaries  for  their  reunion,  which  was 
consummated  at  Pittsburgh,  Pa.,  Nov.  12,  1869. 

Profoundly  grateful  to  Almighty  God  for  the  restoration 
and  I'eturn  to  union  of  the  two  bodies,  tlie  Brick  Church  re- 
solved on  making  a  memorial  offering,  in  pursuance  of 
which  they,  in  the  early  part  of  1870,  raised  by  subscription 
a  little  more  than  $7,500  to  erect  a  chapel  on  the  lot  bought 
by  their  Sunday  school  the  fall  before.  The  corner-stone 
of  the  chapel  was  laid  by  appropriate  ceremonies  June  20, 
1870,  and  the  edifice  was  dedicated  Nov.  20,  1870,  the  lot 
and  building  having  cost  about  $11,000. 

Nov.  27,  1870,  the  Sunday  school  was   reorganized  under       / 
the  superintendence  of  Dwight  II.  Wetmore.     On  account     / 
of  Mr.  Wetmore's  failing  health  his   brother,  Lansing  G.   """^ 
Wetmore,  succeeded  him  as  superintendent  in  the  fall  of 
1871. 

Jan.  1,  1871,  the  Kev.  Gavin  L.  Hamilton  (who  had  been  ^' 
stated  supply  over  the  Presbyterian  Church  at  Pittsford) 
commenced  his  ministration  in  this  chapel. 

Jan.  19,  1872,  a  commission  appointed  by  Presbytery  or- 
ganized the  Memorial  Church,  consisting  of  the  following 
54  members :     James  Critchell,  Mrs.  Ann  Critchell,  Isaac 
De  Ridder,  Mrs.  Maria  De  Ridder,  Mrs.  Kate  Ellwanger,  ^' 
James  Eraser,  Mrs.  Justina  Eraser,  Hanna  Eraser,  Charlotte 


\4 


274  HT^ToKY    OF    KOCHKSTER    I'RESIiYTERY. 

Elizabeth  Fraser,  Mrs.  Jannette  L.  O.  Plarrisoii,  Edward 
Locklej,  Mrs.  Wiiinefred  Lockley,  John  Manley,  Mrs. 
Catharine  Manlej,  Catharine  Margaret  Manley,  Mary  Jane 
Manley,  Mrs.  Alice  Moore,  Abraham  Orange,  Mrs.  Susanna 
Orange,  Mrs.  Maria  Vanderberg,  Mrs.  Charlotte  Yanvech-" 
ten,  Ida  E,.  Vanvechten,  Josiah  Warren,  Mrs  Elizabeth  M. 
"Warren,  Ann  Wright,  George  G.  Becker,  David  Ely,  M. 
D..  Mrs.  Angeline  Ely,  Mrs.  Catharine  A.  Hamilton,  Mrs. 
Lasena  Owens,  David  Rudman,  Mrs.  Eliza  Rudman,  Mrs. 
Jane  Southgate,  Maria  A.  Southgate,  Jennie  Southgate, 
Clara  Southgate,  Marj  Williams,  being  received  by  letter, 
and  Cornelius  Brown,  Mrs.  Joanna  Brown,  Mrs.  Ellen  S. 
Dickinson,  Anna  Jane  Hartley,  Gertrude  H.  Hiddrink, 
Mrs.  Mary  Jane  Loebs,  Mrs.  Margaret  A.  McCauley,  Geo. 
Nicholson,  Mrs.  Mary  Nicholson,  Jacob  Orange,  Nathan 
Picot,  Mrs.  Anna  Picot,  Sarah  J.  Picot,  Henry  G.  Picot, 
Jessie  Simpson,  Sarah  S.  Waker  and  John  C.  Van  De 
Walle  being  received  by  confession. 

George  H.  Nicholson  and  Abram  Orange  were  elected 
ruling  elders. 

Rev.  Gavin  L.  Hamilton  acted  as  stated  supply  of  the 
church,  closing  his  labors  December,  1874. 

For  nearly  y^o  years^  the  church  was  without  pastor  or 
stated  supply,  though  preaching  services  were  held  every 
Sunday.  The  shepherdless  ilock  became  scattered  and  dis- 
couraged. Some  of  the  city  pastors  and  friends  of  the 
enterprise  thought  it  so  difficult  a  field  to  cultivate  as  not  to 
warrant  its  continuance  as  a  church  organization,  but  advised 
that  it  disband  and  maintain  only  a  preaching  station  and 
Sunday  school.  Some  members  took  letters,  others  moved 
away  until  they  had  hardly  fifty  members  remaining. 

Oct.  2(5,  1875,  the  society  voted  to  extend  a  call  to  the 
Rev.  Charles  P.  Coit,  then  laboring  in  Baltimore,  Md.,  to 
become  their  pastor.  Mr.  Coit  responded  to  the  call  and 
began   his  labors  on   Sunday,  Nov.   21,   1875.     The  Pres- 


III8TOKY    OF    KUCllESTKR     rRESI)YTP:RV.  275 

bytery  approved  of  the  act  and  installed  him  as  pastor  Jan. 

V        2,  1876.     James  B.   Shaw,    D.  D.,  preached  the  sermon, 

^  \l    Rev.  Corlis  B.  Gardner  gave  the  charge  to  the  pastor,  Pres. 

\        Martin  B.  Anderson,  LL.  D.,  gave  the  charge  to  the  people, 

Herbert  W.  Morris,  D.  D.,  offered  the  installing  prayer  and 

Rev.  Charles  E.  Fiirman  presided  as  moderator.     Mr.  Coit 

continues  to  be  pastor.  / 

Dec.   27,   1876,  the  society  elected  their  first  board  of     / 
trustees,  consisting  of  Henry  H.  Babcock,  Aaron   P.  Law- /  / 
rence,  Albert  C.  Irving,  Henry  J.  filler    George  H.  Rud-    /jT 
man  and  Charles  Barnes.  "JTa  c///^ 

Jan.  1,  1879,  the  session  voted  that  thereafter  the  hour 
for  their  Sunday  school  to  assemble  should  be  changed  from 
3  o'clock  p.  m.  to  12  at  noon. 

July  22,  1881,  the  trustees  of  the  Brick  Church  deeded 
the  chapel  and  its  lot  to  the  trustees  of  the  Memorial  Church. 
During  this  year  the  church  in  the  exercise  of  great  faith 
in  God,  in  the  exercise  of  unusual  self-denial,  by  the  aid  of 
outside  friends  mostly  of  the  Brick  Church,  enlarged  the 
chapel  to  a  church.  Its  new  corner-stone  was  laid  July  26, 
1881,  and  the  enlarged  edifice  was  re-dedicated  free  of  debt 
Dec.  18,  1881.  The  cost  of  the  enlargement  was  about 
$9,500.  Its  main  audience-room,  shaped  like  an  Egyptian 
cross,  has  106  pews  with  a  seating  capacity  of  500  persons. 
The  prayer-room  back  of  the  pulpit  can  be  opened  by 
sliding  doors  and  add  room  for  seating  250  more. 

The  church  became  self-supporting  in  Nov.,  1882.  In 
the  spring  of  1885  a  pipe-organ  was  purchased  and  put  in 
the  church.  In  the  fall  of  1888  a  choir  loft  was  built  in  its 
noi-th  transept.  y" 

Tiie.present   elders  are   Edward  W.  Warner,  Geo.  H. 

Rudman;  David  C.  Rudman,  William  F.  Smith  and  Gottleib 

W.  Hauert.     They  adhere  to  the  rotation  pljtn. 

\  The  present  trustees  are  Chas.  R.  Barbei%  Wm.  Magrain, 

^     Albert  E.  May,  David  C.  Rudman,  Geo.  II.  Rudman,  Wil- 


276  HISTORY    OF    ROCHESTER    PRESBYTERY. 

ber  F.  Smitli  and  Nelson  A.  Weigand.  The  following 
organizations  exist  in  the  church ;  A  Woman's  Missionary 
Society,  a  Ladies'  Parish  Aid  Society,  Temperance  Society 
and  Young  People's  Society  of  Christian  Endeavor,  all  in 
vigorous  condition.  The  society  depends  solely  on  volun- 
tary offerings  of  its  members  for  financial  support,  discard- 
ing fairs,  festivals,  suppers  and  the  like.  The  services  of 
Evangelists  are  never  sought.  Special  nightly  meetings  are 
held  each  year  beginning  with  the  week  of  prayer  and  con- 
tinued two  or  three  weeks.  The  present  membership  of  the 
church.  Dec.  1, 1888,  is  334,  that  of  the  Sunday  school  is  51(i- 


KOCHESTER   NORTH. 


The  North  Presbyterian  Church  is  an  outgrowth  of  the 
North  Mission  Sunday  school,  which  was  organized  in 
Number  7  Schoolhouse,  April  \S,  1869,  with  William  A. 
Hubbard  as  its  superintendent.  It  was  held  in  this  school- 
house  about  five  years.  A  chapel  was  built  by  the  Central 
Church  at  the  corner  of  Fulton  avenue  and  Locust  street, 
which  was  dedicated  Aug.  23,  1874.  Addresses  were  made 
on  the  occasion  by  Samuel  M.  Campbell,  D.  D.,  Rev.  J. 
Lovejoy  Robertson,  Rev.  George  Patton,  and  elders  George 
W.  Parsons  and  William  A.  Hubbard. 

The  school  continued  as  a  mission  until  the  time  seemed 
to  be  ripe  for  a  church  organization.  Accordingly  in  the 
fall  of  1883,  Rev.  Peter  Lindsay,  of  Seneca  Falls,  was 
employed  to  work  up  the  field.  He  began  his  labors  Dec. 
16,  1883,  and  God's  Ijlessing  followed  his  efforts  so  that  on 
the  12th  of  February,  1884,  the  North  Church  was  organ- 
ized with  seventy  members,  thirty-one  of  which  were  on 
the  confession  of  their  faith,  and  thirty-nine  on  certificates. 
Their  names  are  as  follows  :  Lina  E.  Aldrich,  Isaac  Bower, 
Sophia  Bower,  TlieodoreD.  Beckwith,  Aramenta  Beckwith, 


HISTORY    OK    KOCMKSTKR    PRKSUYTEKY.  277 

Cora  M.  Beckwitli,  Robert  H.  Byers,  Kate  Byers,  Mathew 
T.  Byers,  Margaret  Byers,  Charlotte  Blackwell,  Sarah 
Blackwell,  Harriet  L.  Blackwell.  Ellen  E.  Blackwell, 
Altha  M.  Benton,  Adelia  M.  Brady,  AVilliani  J.  Boyce, 
Julia  C.  Brown,  Emma  L.  Butler,  Frederick  W.  Clark, 
Elizabeth  Clark,  Edgar  Clark,  Jennie  Clark,  Anna  M. 
Craig,  Margaret  Craig,  William  J.  Craig,  Ida  E.  Craig, 
Maggie  Craig,  Frank  H.  Clement,  Louisa  S.  Clement, 
Flora  Ann  Chapman,  George  C.  Cross,  George  W. 
Davidson,  Lizzie  Davidson,  Harriet  M.  Davidson,  Clara 
Daningburg,  Phebe  Fuller,  Mary  A.  Grilling,  Charles 
T.  Griffing,  Mrs.  M.  L.  Harrison,  Hiram  T.  Jones, 
Andrew  Jamison,  Ida  Kincade,  Cornelia  R.  Lindsay, 
Katie  A.  Luitweller,  Georgianna  Martm,  Eliza  Martin, 
Sarah  Martin,  Frances  Martin,  James  B.  McLelland, 
Margaret  McLelland,  Mary  B.  McLelland,  Lizzie  McLelland, 
Alfred  Marsh,  Esther  A.  Marsh,  James  Mets,  Alfred  Porter, 
Carrie  Porter,  E.  Stanley  Race,  Jennie  Race,  Degarmo  G. 
Robbins,  Frank  J.  Shields,  Marion  Shields,  Carrie  Spear, 
Ida  A.  San  ford,  Frederick  R.  Taylor,  Josephine  Taylor, 
Amy  Taylor,  Daniel  Weeks,  Frederick  W.  Zoller. 

The  following  elders  were  elected  and  ordained :  Isaac 
Bower,  Frank  H.  Clement  and  George  W.  Davidson.  On 
this  occasion  the  Presbytei-y  of  Rochester  donated  to  this 
society  the  bell  that  had  come  into  their  possession  by  the 
dissolving  of  the  Peniield  Presbyterian  society. 

This  mission  was  under  the  care  of  the  Central  Church, 
which  gave  through  the  Board  of  Home  Missions,  $400 
towards  its  support.  But  such  was  its  groAvth  in  numbers 
and  wealth  that  it  has  been  self-supporting  since  its 
organization.  The  present  elders  are  Frank  H.  Clement, 
Frank  J.  Shields,  George  W.  Davidson  and  Hiram  T. 
Jones. 

''  The  North  Presbyterian  Church  Society,"  was  organ- 
ized   Jan.  4,   18S4,   and    David    C.   Rumsev,   William    A 


278  HISTORY    OF    ROCHESTER     PRESBYTERY. 

Hubbard,  George  W.  Davidson,  Mathew  T.  Byers,  Frank 
J.  Shields  and  Levi  S.  Sherwood  were  elected  trustees. 

Oct.  9,  1886,  the  trustees  of  the  Central  Ciiurch  deeded 
the  chapel  and  lot  to  the  North  Presbyterian  Church.  The 
names  of  the  present  trustees  are  Irving  Rouse,  William  B. 
Jones,  M.  D.,  John  A.  Seel,  Mathew  T.  Byers,  E.  Stanley 
Race  and  Albert  Bennett. 

The  corner  stone  of  the  new  church  was  laid  Sept,  10, 
1888.     Addresses  were  made  by  the  following  ministers : 

Rev.  Corliss  B.  Gardner,  Rev.  Charles  P.  Coit,  Rev. 
Edward  Bristol,  Rev.  William  R.  Taylor.  Rev.  George  E, 
Soper,  Rev.  Alfred  J.  Hutton  and  Rev.  James  S.  Root. 
Henry  H.  Stebbins,  D.  D.,  laid  the  corner  stone  and 
offered  prayer.  All  money  necessary  for  the  completion 
of  the  church  has  been  pledged  and  it  is  expected  that 
the  church  will  be  dedicated  free  of  debt  about  the  iirst  of 
next  May. 

The  present  and  only  pastor  was  installed  May  14,  1885. 
Rev.  Edward  Bristol,  moderator  of  Presbytery,  presided. 
The  exercises  were:  opening  prayer  by  Rev.  Corliss  B. 
Gardner ;  sermon  by  Rev.  Charles  E.  Robinson,  D.  D.  ; 
charge  to  the  people  by  Rev.  J.  Edward  Close;  charge 
to  the  pastor  by  Rev.  Theodore  W.  Hopkins ;  installation 
prayer  by  Rev.  George  Patton. 

The  young  people  have  a  Society  of  Christian  Endeavor, 
organized  in  March,  1884.  The  boys  and  girls  have  a 
Mission  Band,  organized  in  Oct.,  188.5.  The  Woman's 
Missionary  Society  was  organized  April  — ,  1886. 

During  the  five  years  existence  of  the  church  it  has 
received  in  all,  398  members,  203  on  confession,  and  195 
on  certificates.  The  present  membership  is  322.  The 
church  has  observed  31  communion  seasons,  and  at  each 
has  received  additions  both  by  confession  and  certificates. 
The  Sunday  school  membership  is  al)out  450. 


HISTORY    OF    KOCH  ESTER     I'RESBYTERY.  270 


EOCHESTEK   EMMANUEL. 

Eninianuel  Presbyterian  Church  was  organized  May  2, 
18ST.  witli  the  following  persons  as  inenil)ers  :  Thurlow  W. 
Abell,  Mrs.  Mary  L.  Abell,  David  H.  Abell  Richard  S. 
Abell,  Mrs.  Charlotte  W.  Abell,  Arthur  Y.  Ailing,  Thomas 
Ashton,  Mrs.  Margaret  Ashton,  Herbert  W.  Brower,  Mrs. 
Maggie  L.  Bradley,  Eva  L.  Bradley,  Mrs.  Hattie  A.  Birdsell, 
Mrs.  Alice  W.  Durgin,  Mrs.  Harriet  De Fries,  Lottie 
DeFries,  Mrs.  Addie  W.  Evans,  Minnie  Emery,  Estella  M. 
Forward,  James  Glasgow,  Mrs.  Margaret  Ann  Glasgow, 
Alice  Hall,  »Tames  P.  Henry,  Mrs.  Eliza  Henry,  Mary 
Henry,  Eliza  M.  Henry,  John  W.  Hertel,  Mrs.  Elizabetli 
Hertel,  Anna  Henderson,  Mary  Jane  Henderson,  Mrs. 
Harriet  Hogg,  Anna  W.  Harris,  Florence  E.  Hanvey,  Mrs. 
Marion  Hixon,  Lillian  Johnston,  Henry  Kingdon,  Mrs. 
Sophronia  Kingdon,  Mrs.  Pauline  Keily,  George  Lockwood, 
Mrs.  Eliza  Ann  Lockwood,  Leon  1).  Lewis,  Dora  Miller, 
Lillian  Mallory,  Francis  Noye,  Mrs,  Mary  E.  Noye,  Myrtie  S. 
Noye,  Mrs.  Mary  J.  Patterson,  Homer  P.  Reed,  Mrs. 
Sarah  L.  Reed,  Maie  Reed,  George  Reed,  Mrs.  Mary  A. 
Rogers,  Edwin  F.  Shutt,  Mrs.  Elizabeth  A.  Shutt,  George 
A.  Skinner,  Mrs.  Jessie  Skinner,  William  H.  Shewman, 
Mrs.  Elizabeth  Shewman,  George  H.  Shewman,  Mrs,  Hattie 
Shewman,  Mrs.  Barbara  Shewman,  Lillie  Shewman,  Mrs. 
Isabel  T.  Simpson,  Mrs.  Fanny  M.  Taylor,  George  A. 
Tanner,  Mrs.  Catharine  C.  T.  Tannei-,  Mrs.  Violetta  B.  White 
and  Minnie  Webb. 

Francis  Noye  and  Edwin  E.  Shutt  were  then  elected 
elders  of  the  church,  and  were  ordained  by  the  moderator 
of  Presbytery,  Rev.  Peter  Lindsay, 

The  present  Elders  are,  Francis  Noye,  Edwin  E.  Shutt? 
Henry  Kingdon,"*  George  Lockwood,  Frank  F.  Dow.  M.  D., 
and  George  A.  Tanner. 

♦Died  Jan.,  1889. 


280  rilSTOKY    OF    ROCHESTER    PRESBYTERY. 

The  present  deacons  are  Arthur  Y.  Ailing,  and  John  W. 
Hertel.     Elders  and  deacons  are  elected  for  limited  terms. 

The  iirst  and  present  pastor,  Rev.  James  S.  Root,  was 
called  May  24,  1887;  began  his  ministrations  to  them  July 
10,  1887,  and  was  installed  June  26,  1888. 

The  following  statement  gives  some  of  the  facts  that 
preceded  the  organization  of  this  church  : 

At  the  call  of  the  Presbyterian  Alliance  of  Rochester 
(now  unfortunately  extinct)  a  few  persons,  principally  from 
the  First  Presbyterian  Church,  assembled  at  the  house  of 
Ezra  Taylor,  corner  of  Plymouth  avenue  and  Strong  street, 
on  the  afternoon  of  Sunday,  June  8,  1873,  for  the  purpose 
of  organizing  a  Sunday  school.  Rev.  J.  Lovejoy  Robertson 
presided  and  George  E.  Boardman  was  elected  superin- 
tendent. More  than  forty  adults  and  thirty  children  were 
present.  Nine  of  the  adults  engaged  at  once  as  teachers. 
A  committee  was  appointed  to  secure  a  room  to  meet  in, 
and  visit  the  neighborhood  and  invite  the  attendance  of 
such  children  as  were  not  connected  with  other  Sunday 
schools.  On  the  next  Sunday  the  committee  reported  that 
they  had  secured  the  basement  of  a  lager  beer  saloon  on 
the  corner  of  Plymouth  and  Frost  avenues.  It  was  small, 
damp,  and  badly  ventilated.  To  this  place  "'  Bethany 
Sunday  School"  adjourned  for  its  iirst  session.  Sixty-nine 
scholars  being  present  were  organized  into  thirteen  classes. 
Collections  were  made  at  the  first  meeting.  In  that  year  a 
book  case  and  library  were  furnished.  Thirty-six  testaments 
were  distributed  as  reward  for  attendance  and  lessons. 

From  this  place  the  school  moved  to  the  Friends'  meeting 
house  on  Hubbell  Park.  Here  also  it  prospered.  It  being 
necessary  to  hav^e  more  permanent  provision  made,  Oscar 
Craig,  Esq.,  secured  funds  to  erect  a  building  on  the  site 
now  occupied  by  Emmanuel  Church,  Mr.  Edwin  A.  Frost 
having  donated  one-half  the  value  of  the  site.  In  the  last 
days  of  1874,  15  officers  and  teachers,  and  169  scholars  took 


HISTORY    OF    KOCIIESTEK    PKE.SI5YTEKY.  281 

possession  of  and  dedicated  the  new  building,  which  was  70 
feet  long  by  36  feet  wide,  under  the  name  "  Emmanuel 
Mission  Sunday  School,"  as  suggested  by  Mrs.  Oscar  Craig. 

For  the  next  thirteen  yea^s  the  school  contiimed  to  grow 
till  their  i-oll  of  scholars  exceeded  500,  and  the  attendance 
at  times  450.  With  such  prosperity  it  was  apparent  that  an 
advance  movement  must  be  made.  Preaching  services  began 
in  1886.  The  school  had  outgrown  the  room  and  through 
the  liberality  of  friends,  mostly  of  the  First  Church,  a  large 
annex,  40  ft.  long  and  36  ft.  wide,  was  erected  on  the  east 
side  of  the  original  building,  at  a  cost  of  $3000. 

Rev  Thomas  Morey  Hodgman  was  engaged  by  the  Ses- 
sion of  the  First  Church  for  tlie  preaching  services,  and 
under  the  Session's  direction,  through  Elder  David  M. 
Hough,  the  superintendent,  and  Arthur  Y.  Ailing,  the 
assistant  superintendent,  aided  by  preacher  Hodgman,  steps 
were  taken  to  organize  a  church. 

It  should  also  be  added  here,  that  had  not  this  the 
'-  mother  church  "  carefully  cared  for  the  interests  of  this 
Sunday  school,  Emmanuel  Church  would  never  have  had 
an  existence. 

A  AYoman's  Missionary  Society,  auxiliary  to  the  W  oman's 
Presbyterial  Society  of  Rochester  Presbytery,  was  organized 
Sept.  11,  1887.  The  first  year's  offerings  for  Home  and 
Foreign  Missions  amounted  to  $25.  They  continue  to  hold 
monthly  meetings. 

The  Emmanuel  Aid  Society  was  organized  Nov.  1,  1887. 

The  Young  Peoples'  Society  of  Christian  Endeavor  was 
organized  February  16,  1888. 

Previous  to  July,  1888,  the  Sunday  school  was  held  at  3 
o'clock.  It  was  therefore  largely  a  union  school.  At  the 
change  to  12  o'clock  there  was  a  membership  of  162,  which 
has  now  increased  to  nearly  300. 

The  Emmanuel  Church  Society  of  Rochester  was  organ- 
ized May  27, 1887.     Its  first  trustees  were  Arthur  Y.  Ailing, 


282  HISTORY    OF    ROCHESTER    PRESBYTERY. 

Homer  B.  Reed,  George  A.  Skinner,  William  H.  Shewman, 
George  H.  Hixon  and  Charles  E.  White.  The  present 
trustees  are  Arthur  Y.  Ailing,  AVilliam  H.  Shewman, 
George  A.  Skinner,  Homer  B.  Reed,  George  H.  Hixon  and 
George  W.  Merick. 

Since  the  organization  of  the  church  eighty-eight  have 
been  added  to  it.  New  members  have  been  received  at 
every  communion  service.     Its  present  membership  is  140. 

When  "■  Bethany  Sunday  School "  was  opened  in  1873, 
a  large  portion  of  the  8th  ward  was  uncultivated  land.  Its 
population  was  about  7,000  with  but  three  churches.  Now 
the  population  exceeds  15,000  and  there  are  eight  churches 
in  the  ward,  and  its  growth  is  still  rapid.  In  the  near 
future  this  church  is  likely  to  be  not  only  self-sustaining, 
but  a  contributor  to  the  support  of  others. 


RUSH. 

The  first  religious  society  in  Rush  was  formed  by  a 
colony  of  Baptists  about  1804.  The  origin  and  date  of  the 
Presbyterian  Church  at  Rush  are  among  the  faded  memories 
of  the  past.  I  have  been  unable  to  find  any  printed  data  of 
such,  and  the  records  of  the  church  were  lost  by  fire  about 
1843. 

This  church  is  referred  to  in  the  ndnutes  of  Ontario 
Presbytery,  as  early  as  June  16,  1818,  and  continued  to  be 
represented  in  their  meetings  until  August  26,  1828,  nearly 
five  years  after  being  set  off  to  Rochester  Presbytery.  The 
first  mention  of  the  church  in  the  Rochester  minutes  is, 
February  5,  1829,  with  twelve  members.  After  that,  it 
was  represented  in  the  meetings  of  the  Presbytery  as  late  as 
1840,  when  a  committee  was  appointed  to  visit  the  church 


HISTORY    OF    ROCHKSTER    PRESBYTKRV.  2S3 

and  try  to  arouse  it  to  more  efficiency.  Their  number 
became  diminished  by  removals  to  otlier  towns,  until  the 
last  of  them  were  finally  received  to  the  Presbyterian  Church 
at  Honeoye  Falls,  March  5,  1843.  The  records  of  this  lat- 
ter church  bearing  said  date,  read  as  follows.  "  Session 
met.  All  the  members  present.  Opened  with  prayer.  The 
following  persons  from  the  '  Presbyterian  Church  of  Rush' 
made  application  for  admission  to  the  church  :  Luther 
Campbell,  Eunice  Campbell,  Simeon  Rowley,  Lucy  Rowley. 
They  were  without  letters,  and  gave  as  a  reason  that  the 
church  had  no  officers,  except  a  clerk,  Mr.  Campbell,  one  of 
the  applicants,  and  that  even  the  church  records  were  lost, 
having  recently  perished  in  the  flames  which  consumed  the 
house  of  Mr.  Campbell.  They  requested  to  be  received  on 
our  knowledge  of  their  having  long  been  members  of  the 
Presbyterian  Church  of  Rush,  or  upon  their  mutual  testi- 
mony to  the  fact  of  membership."  "  They  were  accordingly 
received."  This  is  definite  as  to  the  end  of  the  Rush 
church. 

In  1831,  the  church  consisted  of  11  members;  in  1823,  of 
■23  members.  It  appears  that  Rev.  Messrs.  Erie  Prince, 
Abner  Benedict,  Chauncey  Cook  and  Conrad  Ten  Eyck, 
have  been  stated  supplies  to  the  church,  under  the  patronage 
of  the  American  Home  Missionary  Society,  and  also,  that  in 
1829,  Rev.  George  G.  Sill,  preached  one-third  of  his  time  at 
Rush,  and  two-thirds  at  Honeoye  Falls,  under  the  General 
Assembly's  Board  of  Home  Missions.* 


♦Compiled  from  "  Half  Century  of  the  Presbytery  of  Rochester  " ;  Hotchkin'i 
History  of  Western  New  York,  and  Honeoye  Falls  Church  records. 


284  HISTORY    OF    ROCHESTER    PRESBYTERY, 


THE  UNITED  CONGREGATION  OF  DANSVILLE 
AND  SPARTA. 

The  origin  of  Presbyterianism  in  tlie  town  of  Sparta  is 
involved  in  considerable  obscurity  on  account  of  the  loss  by 
fire  of  all  the  papers  which  could  have  given  information 
on  the  subject. 

Its  existence,  however,  may  be  safely  dated  to  the  time 
when  the  first  settlers  entered  this  township,  which  then 
included  what  is  known  as  the  towns  of  Sparta,  "West 
Sparta,  Groveland,  Dansville  and  part  of  Mount  Morris. 

The  first  settlement  appears  to  have  been  at  a  place  called 
Williamsburgh,  now  in  the  town  of  Groveland,  where  cer- 
tain Presbyterian  families  made  choice  of  a  home  about  the 
year  1795. 

They  were  supplied  with  sermons  occasionally  by  the 
Rev.  Daniel  Thatcher,  the  Rev.  John  Lindsley  and  others, 
the  persons  named  being  missionaries  under  the  care  of  the 
General  Assembly. 

There  is  no  record  of  any  church  having  been  organized 
in  Williamsburgh,  but  the  names  of  certain  elders  are  given 
as  having  been  connected  with  the  worship  of  God  in  that 
place,  and  the  Lord's  supper  must  have  been  dispensed 
among  the  settlers,  who  had  previously  been  in  the  Pres- 
byterian connection,  as  early  as  the  year  1800. 

The  settlement  at  Williamsburgh  having  been  broken  up, 
its  component  elements  afterward  constituted  the  churches 
of  Groveland  and  Sparta. 

Not  far  from  the  time  that  Williamsburgh  was  occupied, 
a  settlement  was  also  formed  near  to  the  place,  where  the 
Second  Church  of  Sparta  now  stands. 

The  settlers  having  been  principally  members  of  the 
>Church  of  Christ  in  Pennsylvania,  from  whence  they  emi- 


niSTOItV    OF    KOOHKSTER    PRKSBYTKRY.  285 

grated,  and  many  of  them  being  of  Scotch  or  Scotcli-Irish 
origin,  their  first  concern  appears  to  have  been,  after  choos- 
ing their  location,  to  have  the  ordinances  of  religion 
regularly  dispensed. 

Various  persons  are  spoken  of  as  having  occasionally 
preached  to  them,  but  for  many  years,  they  had  no  settled 
ministr3\ 

The  Kev.  Andrew  Gray  of  the  Dutch  Reformed  church, 
who  moved  to  Alleghany  in  1795,  took  charge  of  the 
churches  of  Almond,  Angelica  and  Dansville,  all  in  connec- 
tion with  that  denomination. 

His  call  was  dated  November,  1803,  and  was  sustained 
by  the  classis  of  New  Brunswick  in  September  of  the  same 
year.  He  continued  his  labors  in  that  connection  till  the 
year  1807. 

The  Church  of  Dansville  bore  the  name  of  The  United 
Congregation  of  Dansville  and  Sparta  (or  Ontario  and 
Steuben)  at  that  time,  and  included  the  town  of  Sparta, 
which  covered  ground  within  the  counties  of  Steuben 
and  Ontario;  as  Livingston  county  had  not  then  been 
formed. 

About  the  year  1804-05,  the  above  United  Congregation 
of  Dansville  and  Sparta  received  valuable  additions  from 
the  settlement  at  Williamsburgh,  which  had  been  dis- 
continued ;  and  as  a  consequence  the  church  appears  to 
have  formed  a  connection  with  the  Presbyterian  denom- 
ination. 

This  is  supposed  to  have  been  in  the  year  1806,  but  no 
record  of  the  exact  date  is  extant. 

In  the  year  1807,  June  18th,  there  is  a  call  extant 
addressed  to  the  Eev.  Andrew  Gray  from  the  above  society, 
which  states  that  "  they  having  changed  their  situation  from 
under  the  direction  of  the  Dutch  Reformed  Body,  and  hav- 
ing cast  themselves  under  the  jurisdiction  of  the  General 


286  HISTORY    OF    ROCHESTER    PRESBYTERY. 

Assembly  of  Divines,  they  had  chosen  themselves  a  body  of 
trustees  according  to  law,  etc." 

This  call  stipulates  that  Mr.  Gray  shall  leave  the  Dutch 
Keformed  body,  and  connect  himself  with  the  Presbyterian 
church. 

Mr.  Gray  did  not  accept  this  call,  having  been  appointed 
about  the  close  of  this  year,  or  the  beginning  of  1808,  by  a 
Missionary  Society  in  New  York  City,  to  become  a  mission- 
ary among  the  Tuscarora  Indians. 

From  this  time  the  "  United  Congregation,"  as  it  was 
called,  appears  to  have  depended  on  Missionaries  of  the 
General  Assembly  and  stated  supplies  for  the  ordinances  of 
religion  for  a  number  of  years. 

They  gave  an  invitation  to  a  young  man  of  the  name  of 
Wm.  Glasgow,  who  had  preached  to  their  great  acceptance 
to  become  their  pastor,  but  were  again  disappointed. 

The  Rev,  Andrew  Gray  returned  from  the  Lines  in  1814, 
having  been  burned  out  by  the  British  during  the  war,  and 
many  of  his  former  friends  wished  him  to  resume  his  minis- 
terial labors  among  them,  which  he  accordingly  did. 

But  at  that  time  the  Rev.  Silas  Pratt  was  officiating  as  a 
stated  supply,  and  the  consequence  was  that  the  church 
became  divided. 

The  latter  principally  occupied  the  field  where  the  Second 
Church  now  stands  and  the  village  of  Dansville ;  while  the 
former  preached  at  Haven's  Corners  where  the  First  Church 
of  Sparta  now  stands,  and  at  the  Gully  schoolhouse  in  the 
town  of  Grovel  and. 

The  present  church  edifice  of  Second  Sparta  was  built  about 
the  year  1810,  but  was  afterwards  renovated  and  greatly 
improved  in  1850. 

The  united  congregation  decided  where  its  location 
should  be  fixed  by  casting  lots. 

But  as  Dansville  began  to  increase  in  population  the  mem- 


HISTORV    OF    KOCHKSTER     PRKSBYTP^RY.  2S7 

bers  of  the  cliurcli    residing-  in    and  around    that    village 
decided  to  have  a  separate  organization. 

This  took  place  in  the  year  1825,  w^hen  the  Kev.  Silas 
Pratt  was  the  officiating  minister.  The  separate  existence  of 
Dansville  church  appears  to  have  interfered  with  the  pros- 
perity of  the  congregation  in  Sparta  to  such  a  degree,  that 
measures  were  taken  to  change  the  site  to  Haven's  Corners, 
and  forming  a  union  with  those  worshipping  there,  and  those 
worshipping  at  the  Gully  schoolhouse.  A  meeting  to  effect 
this  object  took  place  April  28tli,  1827,  which  stated  that 
on  account  of  the  weakened  state  of  the  church  by  the  depart- 
ure of  some  of  the  members  to  Dansville,  and  considering 
that  it  would  be  highly  injurious  to  join  the  church  there  they 
resolved  in  the  future  to  meet  at  "  Haven's  Corners." 


SPARTA  FIRST. 


The  organization  of  the  first  church  at  that  place,  which 
is  now  known  as  the  First  Church  of  Sparta,  took  place 
January  19th,  1828.  Its  ecclesiastical  origin  in  connection 
with  the  General  Assembly,  however,  must  be  assigned  to 
a  period  prior  to  the  date  of  the  call  to  Mr.  Gray,  and  prob- 
ably took  place  in  1806.  As  already  stated,  measures  were 
then  taken  to  build  the  present  house  of  worship,  and  a  deed 
of  the  ground  on  which  it  stands  was  obtained,  bearing 
date  Feb.  19tli,  1829. 

A  substantial  and  commodious  building  was  erected  in 
the  course  of  the  year,  and  William  W.  McNair,  Richard  W. 
Parkinson,  William  D.  McNair,  Samuel  M.  Mann,  James 
McNair  and  John  Wood  were  elected  by  the  congregation 
its  first  board  of  trustees. 

Messrs.  William  W.  McNair,  William  D.  McNair,  Isaac 
Bean  and  James  Scott  were  its  first  elders. 


2S8  HISTORY    OF    ROCHESTER    PRESBYTERY. 

The  result  of  this  measure  was  the  amalgamation  of  the 
two  parties  known  as  those  who  adhered  to  Mr.  Gray  and 
Mr.  Pratt. 

This  was  consummated  at  a  meeting  of  the  Presbytery  of 
Ontario,  held  in  Sparta,  April  10th,  183r). 

The  Kev,  Silas  Pratt  continued  to  sign  the  minutes  of 
session  till  Jan.  24th,  1829. 

The  Rev.  F.  S.  Gaylord  then  became  stated  supply,  and 
was  succeeded  by  the  Rev.  Amos  P.  Brown,  who  signed  the 
first  minutes  of  session,  Sept.  11th,  1830. 

He  was  installed  pastor,  Aug.  24th,  1831,  and  during  his 
ministry  the  church  appears  to  have  had  a  time  of  great 
awakening,  and  many  were  added  to  the  roll  of  commu- 
nicants. 

He  was  dismissed  Jan.  22nd,  1834,  "  on  account  of  ill- 
health,"  and  was  succeeded  by  the  Rev.  Lemuel  Hall,  in 
1837. 

March  the  5th,  the  Rev.  William  H.  Snyder  is  spoken  of 
in  the  record  as  pastor,  but  is  believed  to  have  been  only 
stated  supply  for  a  number  of  months. 

During  his  ministry  the  church  resolved  to  join  the  O.  S. 
General  Assembly.  The  meeting  at  which  this  was  deter- 
mined bears  date,  August  20th,  1837. 

The  Ontario  Presbytery  met  at  Union  Corners,  Aug.  23rd, 
1837,  and  in  reviewing  the  session's  minutes,  took  exception 
to  them  on  four  grounds,  and  especially  for  this  resolution 
to  become  "  O.  S." 

The  fourth  exception  states  that  ' '  the  Presbytery  feel 
bound  to  express  their  disapprobation,  regarding  as  they  do 
the  leading  measures  of  the  Assembly,  as  being  unconsti- 
tutional, unrighteous,  and  consequently  null  and  void.'" 

The  Rev.  Alfred  White  signs  as  "  Moderator  of  Session," 
Feb.  18th,  1838,  at  which  meeting  it  was  resolved  to  apply 
for  admission  to  the  Presbytery  of  Susquehanna,  to  meet 
at  Bath,  Steuben  Co.,  Feb.  20th,  1838. 


HISTORY    OF    ROCHKSTKR     PRKSHYTERY.  2S9 

Mr.  White  officiated  as  stated  supply  for  about  six 
months,  when  the  congregation  invited,  first,  tlie  Rev. 
George  Morris,  and  afterwards,  the  Rev.  Dr.  Hugh  Mair  to 
become  their  pastor,  but  neither  of  them  accepted  the  invita- 
tion. The  Rev.  Thomas  Aitken  was  then  called  April  23rd, 
1839,  and  was  installed  pastor,  Aug.  15th,  1840,  his 
installation  having  been  deferred  to  that  date  on  account  of 
the  Assembly's  rule  respecting  foreign  ministers. 

In  April,  1855,  by  action  of  Presbytery  the  two  congre- 
gations of  First  and  Second  Sparta  were  united,  not  as 
one  church,  but  as  two  separate  organizations  under  the  pas- 
toral care  of  the  Rev.  Thomas  Aitken,  Avhich  relation  was 
sustained  until  Sept.  18th,  1882,  when,  at  his  own  request 
it  was  annulled,  and  he  was  made  "  Pastor  Emeritus "  of 
these  two  churches,  and  was  succeeded  in  May,  1883,  by 
Rev.  Evan  R.  Evans,  who  served  the  two  organizations  as 
stated  supply  until  January,  1886. 

In  May  of  the  same  year,  Robert  K.  Wick,  a  licentiate  of 
the  Presbytery  of  New  York,  began  a  service  with  the  First 
and  Second  churches  of  Sparta  as  stated  su2)ply,  and  served 
in  that  capacity  until  Sept.  30tli  of  the  same  year,  when  he 
was  ordained  and  installed  pastor  of  the  two  organizations. 

A  Sabbath  school  has  been  connected  with  the  church 
from  its  earliest  years. 

A  Ladies'  organization  is  also  connected  Avith  the  church, 
the  germs  of  which  began  in  1874 ;  now  called  the  "  Society 
for  Church  Work,"  and  as  such  was  organized  June  24tli, 
1887. 

The  church  has  its  representatives  in  the  foreign  field, 
two  of  its  members,  the  Rev.  Frank  P.  Gilman,  and  his  wife, 
Marion  McNair  Oilman,  who  are  engaged  in  missionary 
work  among  the  people  of  Hainan. 

It  elects  its  elders  for  life  ;  and  at  present  Mr.  James  S. 
Oilman,  Chas.  B.  McNair  and  Edward  L.  McFetridge  com- 
pose its  session,  Avhile   Messrs.  James  S.  Gilman,  Edward 


290  HISTORY    OF    ROCHESTER     PRESBYTERY. 

L.  McFetridge,  Samuel  Wambold,  Edward  W.  Mann,  John 
Logan  and  William  Henry  Havens  comprise  its  board  of 
trustees. 


SPARTA  SECOND. 


The  Second  Presbyterian  Church  of  Sparta  was  organized 
on  the  fourth  day  of  May,  1848,  by  a  committee  appointed 
by  the  Presbytery  of  Steuben,  composed  of  Rev.  Jesse 
Edwards,  Rev.  Richard  Kay  and  Elder  Peter  Titsworth. 

The  following  persons  .presented  letters  of  dismission 
from  the  First  Presbyterian  Churcli  of  Sparta :  James 
McNair,  Joseph  Knappenburgh,  David  McNair,  Hugh  T. 
McNair,  Phoebe  Jane  McNair.  Samuel  McNair,  Margaret 
K.  McNair,  William  D.  McNair,  Jane  McNair,  Mrs.  Jane 
McNair,  Jacob  Knappenburgh,  John  W.  McNair,  Catharine 
Knappenburgli,  Nancy  Culbertson,  Anne  McNair,  Frances 
McNair  and  Ann  Shafer. 

Also  letters  of  dismission  from  the  First  Presbyterian 
Church  of  Dansville  were  presented  by  James  Sturgeon, 
Samuel  Sturgeon,  Mar}'-  Ann  Sturgeon  and  Margaret 
McNair. 

James  McNair  and  William  D.  McNair,  who  had  held 
office  as  ruling  elders  in  the  First  Presbyterian  Church  of 
Sparta,  Samuel  Sturgeon,  who  had  held  the  same  office  in 
the  First  Presbyterian  Church  of  Dansville,  and  Hugh  T. 
McNair  were  duly  elected  and  ordained  as  elders. 

Rev.  Jesse  Edwards,  by  appointment  of  Presbytery, 
became  stated  supply  of  the  new^  church  and  continued  in 
that  relation  for  the  two  following  years. 

In  the  autumn  of  1850,  Rev.  James  E.  Miller  was  elected 
and  installed  as  pastor,  which  office  he  held  until  April, 
1854.  One  year  later  Rev.  Thomas  Aitken,  upon  the  invita- 
tion of  the  church  and  witli  the  consent  of  the  Presbytery, 


HISTORY    OF    ROCHESTKR    PRKSIJYTERY.  201 

assumed  the  pastorate  in  connection  with  that  of  the  First 
Church  of  Sparta.  During  the  long  period  of  27  years 
thereafter  he  served  the  Master  in  tliat  capacity  with  great 
fidelity  and  acceptance  until,  through  the  increasing  infirmi- 
ties of  age,  he  was  obliged  to  relinquish  the  trust,  and  by  the 
action  of  Presbytery,  in  September,  1882,  was  lionorably 
retired  and  his  name  placed  upon  the  list  of  pastors  emeri- 
tus.    Two  years  later  he  was  called  to  his  reward  on  high. 

Kev.  Evan  R.  Evans  occupied  the  pulpits  of  the  two 
churches,  as  stated  supply  from  May,  1883,  to  January,  1880. 
Considerable  accessions  to  the  membership  took  place  under 
his  ministr3^ 

In  May  of  the  same  year  the  services  of  Robert  K.  Wick, 
a  licentiate  of  the  Presbytery  of  New  York,  were  secured, 
and  in  August  following,  by  a  vote  of  the  two  congregations, 
he  was  elected  pastor,  and  a  month  later  was  ordained  and 
installed.  He  has  very  acceptably  and  with  gratifying 
results  continued  his  labors  to  the  present  time.  The  elders 
now  in  oftice  are  Hugh  T.  McNair,  David  McNair  and 
Samuel  Alexander.     The  ofiice  is  permanent  in  this  church. 

A  Sabbath  school,  with  little  intermission,  has  been  in 
operation  since  the  date  of  the  organization  of  the  church. 

A  Woman's  Missionary  Society  was  organized  in  1872, 
and  has  been  successfully  sustained,  as  has  also  a  Children's 
Mission  Band  organized  at  a  later  date.  These  societies 
have  paid  into  the  treasuries  of  the  Mission  Boards  of  the 
church  or  sent  directly  in  the  form  of  supplies  to  Home 
Missionaries  an  aggregate  of  $2,179.86. 

The  church  building,  which  came  by  inheritance,  as  it 
were,  to  the  church  at  the  time  of  its  organization,  was 
erected  in  1809,  and  was  said  to  have  been  the  second 
church  structure  put  up  in  the  state  west  of  Cayuga  bridge, 
which  (latter)  was  an  old  time  land  mark. 

It  was  hoary  with  age  and  much  dilapidated,  but  greatly 
prized  on   account  of  the   hallowed  memories   of  former 


292  HISTORY    OF    ROCHESTER    PRESBYTERY. 

years,  and  the  people  entered  lieartily  into  the  work  of 
renovation.  An  outlay  of  about  one  tliousand  dollars  trans- 
formed it  from  a  place  lit  only  for  the  owls  and  the  bats 
into  a  decent  and  commodious  sanctuary  and  as  such  it  was 
duly  dedicated  to  the  worship  of  Almighty  God  in  the 
autumn  of  1852. 

The  following  persons  composed  the  first  Board  of  Trus- 
tees :  John  Culbertson,  Hugh  T.  McN'air,  Samuel  Sturgeon, 
John  W.  McNair,  Jacob  Knappenburgh  and  David 
McNair. 

The  members  of  the  board  now  holding  ofiice  are  J.  A. 
Knappenburgh,  C.  F.  McNair,  Warren  M,  McNair,  J.  A. 
Culbertson,  William  G.  Carney  and  William  Driesbach. 

The  church  is  situated  in  a  rural  district,  about  three  miles 
north  of  Dansville,  and  has  suffered  in  past  years  from  the 
depleting  effects  of  change  of  inhabitants,  which  is  so 
common  in  all  the  older  parts  of  the  country.  Tlie  present 
membership  is  sixty -three, 

Not  a  few  of  those  who  have  gone  out  from  it  are  usefully 
engaged  in  the  Lord's  work  elsewhere.  One  of  these.  Rev. 
Theodore  M.  McNair,  is  now  a  missionary  in  the  Empire  of 
Japan. 

The  ordinances  of  the  Gospel  have  been  maintained  with 
an  encouraging  degree  of  success,  and  with  results  which 
clearly  indicate  the  approval  of  the  Master  and  give  promise 
of  richer  fruitage  in  the  years  to  come. 


SPRINGWATER. 


This  church,  originally  Congregational,  was  organized  by 
Rev.  Lyman  Barrett,  of  Naples,  Feb.  10,  1821,  wiio  preached 
from  Matt.  5 :  16.  The  church  was  formed  with  twelve 
members,  viz:  Alpheus  Phelps,  Alfred  Phelps,  Jotham 
Dyre,  Daniel  Ward,  Nathaniel  Adams,  Lucinda  Ford,  Esther 


HISTORY    OF    ROCIIESTEK    I'RHISHYTERY.  203 

Flanders,  Mercy  Adams,  Clarissa  Phelps,  Nancy  Brown, 
Malinda  Goot  and  Mary  Whalen. 

The  number  who  have  belonged  to  the  church  up  to  the 
present  time  (1889)  is  200.  The  largest  number  at  any  one 
time  was  46,     This  was  1844. 

The  church  had  no  regular  preaching  for  nine  years  after 
its  organization,  but  was  supplied  occasionally  by  Kev.  Lyman 
Barrett,  Rev.  Warren  Day  and  other  neighboring  ministers. 

In  1830  Rev.  James  Cohoon  was  engaged  as  stated  supply 
and  remained  about  three  years.  Rev.  E.  Brunson  followed 
and  supplied  the  pulpit  during  part  of  the  year  1834.  Rev. 
S.  Thompson  was  stated  supply  from  January,  1836,  until 
March,  1839. 

The  first  settled  pastor.  Rev.  Daniel  B.  A¥oods,  was 
ordained  and  installed  Sept.  19,  1839.  The  sermon  was 
preached  by  his  venerable  father.  Rev.  Dr.  Woods,  of 
Andover.    His  pastorate  continued  a  little  less  than  two  years. 

Rev.  William  Hunter,  a  graduate  of  Auburn  Seminary, 
commenced  labors  as  stated  supply  in  October,  1841.  He 
was  ordained  and  installed  pastor  Sept  25,  1844.  The 
sermon  was  preached  by  Rev.  R.  Hill,  of  East  Bloomtield. 
Mr.  Hunter's  health  being  feeble  he  resigned  his  charge  in 
1865,  but  preached  occasionally  as  his  strength  permitted. 
Having  recovered  health  he  complied  with  a  unanimous 
request  of  the  church  and  resumed  labors  as  pastor  in  Octo- 
ber, 1868.  If  the  above  interim  be  included  he  has  now 
(1889)  been  pastor  for  over  forty-seven  years. 

Daniel  Ward,  the  first  and  only  deacon,  was  chosen  to 
that  office  April  9,  1830,  and  served  the  church  faithfully. 

Nov.  10,  1827,  the  church  voted  to  change  the  form  of 
government  from  Congregational  to  Presbyterian,  and  at 
the  same  time  elected  four  elders,  viz  :  Jotham  Dyre,  Dan- 
iel Ward,  John  Slack  and  Benjamin  Boyd.  The  church 
was  received  under  the  care  of  Ontario  Presbytery,  Jan. 
16,  1829. 


294  HISTORY    OF    ROCHESTER    PRESBYTERY. 

Ten  years  afterwards,  owing  to  death  and  removals,  the 
eldership  had  become  extinct.  From  1837  to  1870  business 
was  again  transacted  according  to  the  Congregational  form, 
the  church  still  remaining  under  the  care  of  Presbytery. 

May  s,  1870,  Charles  Brewer,  Christopher  Osgood,  Wil- 
liam Rosenkrans  and  Samuel  A.  Howe  were  ordained  as 
elders,  the  pastor  being  assisted  in  the  services  by  Rev. 
J.  R.  Page.  Dr.  T.  D.  Conner  and  Frank  S.  Grover  were 
set  apart  to  the  office  of  elder,  Aug.  5,  1888.  Up  to  the 
present  time  the  church  has  had  only  ten  elders.  Messrs. 
Howe,  Grover  and  Conner  constitute  the  present  session, 
T.  D.  Conner  being  clerk. 

For  twenty  years  the  church  worshiped  in  school  houses 
and  private  dwellings.  In  1840  Mr.  Jonathan  Bassett 
donated  a  lot  of  land  for  a  meeting-house  and  parsonage. 
A  convenient  house  of  worship,  50  by  36  feet,  was  built  the 
same  year  and  dedicated  Dec.  31. 

In  1872  the  building  was  thoroughly  repaired  at  an 
expense  of  $2,000.  It  was  re-dedicated  Feb.  20,  1872. 
Rev.  Dr.  Shaw,  of  Rochester,  preached  the  sermon,  and 
addresses  were  made  by  Dr.  I.  N.  Sprague  and  Rev.  Messrs. 
Dobbin,  Burghart,  Hibbard,  DuBoys,  Weed,  Page  and 
Jessnp.  The  services  were  successful  in  the  raising  of 
$1,500  of  the  $2,000,  so  that  the  entire  amount  was 
provided.     The  parsonage  was  built  in  184^1 

The  first  Sabbath  school  was  organized  in  1840  by  the 
pastor,  Rev.  Daniel  B.  Woods.  For  several  years  it  was 
the  only  school  in  the  town.  The  school  at  the  church  has 
been  continued  ever  since.  Two  or  three  others  were  kept 
up  at  different  times  in  school  houses.  The  one  at  the 
"  Bell  school  house "  was  very  prosperous.  Most  of  the 
large  scholars,  during  a  revival,  became  Christians.  In  the 
school  now  held  at  the  church  there  are  about  60  scholars 
and  seven  teachers.     Dr.  T.  D.  Conner  is  superintendent. 

When  the  present  pastor  commenced  his  labors  in  1841, 


msTOKY    OF    ROCIIKSTKK    I'RESBYTKKY.  205 

there  were  seven  "  taverns  "  in  town.  Driyikfiiiness  was 
common,  but  tlie  friends  of  temperance  were  united  and 
persevering,  and  at  last  through  the  Divine  blessing  gained 
the  victory.  In  the  spring  of  1875  the  town  voted  "  No 
License"  by  a  majority  of  127.  The  same  vote  has  been 
repeated  every  year  since,  and  now  for  fourteen  years  there 
has  been  no  liquor  sold  in  town.  The  increased  prosperity 
of  the  place  in  consequence  of  the  change  has  been 
wonderful. 

The  most  general  and  powerful  revival  was  in  1843.  In 
the  early  months  of  that  year  there  was  a  general  awakening 
in  all  the  churches.  The  pastor  had  help  from  Rev. 
Charles  Morgan,  of  Geneseo,  and  Rev.  D.  M.  Merritt, 
of  Dansville.  As  fruit  of  the  revival  twenty-five  united 
with  the  church. 

In  1856  there  was  another  general  religious  awakening 
throughout  the  town.  Union  meetings  were  held  and 
fourteen  members  were  added  to  the  church. 

Union  meetings  were  again  held  in  the  winter  of  1869- 
1870.  A  large  number  professed  conversion  but  the  additions 
to  the  churches  were  small.  Only  eight  joined  this  church. 
Other  seasons  of  religions  interest  have  been  enjoyed  at 
different  times. 

This  church  has  never  had  more  than  a  "  little  strength." 
It  commenced  with  few  members  and  little  wealth,  and  has 
never  been  other  than  one  of  the  "  feeble  "  churches.  But 
through  the  divine  blessing  it  has  held  on  its  way,  and 
survived  unrecorded  trials  that  threatened  its  very  existence. 
It  has  been  the  dear  religious  home  of  many  who  have  gone 
to  the  "  home  above,"  and  of  some  who  are  still  serving 
the  Master  in  connection  with  other  churches.  It  is  not 
known  that  more  than  one  of  its  members  entered  the 
ministry — the  Rev.  Levi  G.  March,  now  the  able  and 
beloved  pastor  of  the  Presbyterian  church  of  Lewiston, 
N.  Y. 


296  HISTORY    OF    ROCHESTER    PRESBYTERY. 


SWEDEN. 

What  is  now  the  Presbyterian  Church  of  Sweden  was 
organized  Sept,  5,  1816,  under  the  name  and  title  of  "The 
First  Congregational  Society  of  Sweden."  There  were 
present,  as  executive  council,  Rev.  Comfort  Williams,  of 
Rochester;  Rev.  Alanson  Darwin,  of  Riga;  Rev.  Henry 
Smith  and  Rev.  Elam  Clark,  home  missionaries  ;  Deacon 
Levi  Ward,  of  Bergen,  and  Deacon  Davis,  Justus  Brown 
and  Asahel  Finch,  of  Parma. 

The  following  persons  presented  themselves  for  the  pur- 
pose of  being  formed  into  a  church,  viz :  Theda  Clark, 
Abigail  Smith,  Lydia  Lee,  Sally  Hollister,  Lucretia  Bennett, 
Abigail  Beedle,  Daniel  Avery,  Elisha  Smith,  Samuel  Blair, 
Joseph  Langdon,  Rebecca  Cone,  Anna  Brown,  Artemas 
Lyman,  Sarah  Stickney,  Rosanna  Avery,  Diodate  Lord, 
Silas  Judson — total  IT. 

Daniel  Avery  was  elected  the  first  clerk  of  the  church, 
Artemas  Lyman  the  first  standing  moderator,  and  Diodate 
Lord  and  Samuel  Castle  the  first  deacons. 

The  first  board  of  trustees  was  elected  Jan.  26,  1819,  and 
was  composed  of  the  following  persons,  viz :  Silas  Judson, 
Silas  Parker,  Artemas  Lyman,  Oliver  Spencer,  Abel  Root 
and  John  Reed.  The  original  certificate  of  incorporation 
was  recorded  in  the  county  clerk's  ofiice  of  Genesee  (Sweden 
being  then  in  Genesee)  on  Feb.  4,  1819,  in  Liber  I  of  Mis- 
cellaneous Records,  page  293. 

For  seventeen  years  from  the  date  of  its  organization  the 
church  was  managed  on  what  was  known  as  the  ''  accom- 
modation plan."  But  in  May,  1833,  at  a  regular  meeting 
of  the  church,  it  was  duly  resolved  to  become  a  Presbyte- 
rian church.  Accordingly,  Abel  Page,  Chauncey  Staples, 
Sisson  Taylor,  Joseph  Staples,  Samuel  V.  Way  and  Daniel 
J.  Avery  were  elected  ruling  elders,  and  Elias  D.   Wilcox 


HISTOKV    OF    KOCIIKSTKR     ••RKSIJVTKliV.  'i'.lT 

and  Oliver  Spencer  were  chosen  to  serve  as  deacons,  all  of 
whom  were  ordained  to  their  sacred  offices  by  Rev.  Samuel 
Marsh,  on  June  9,  1833. 

The  church,  as  nearly  as  can  now  be  ascertained,  was 
served  by  the  following  ministers  during  the  years  set 
opposite  their  names : 

Rev.  Abraham  Foreman,  from  1822  to  . 

Rev.  David  Page,  from  182G  to  1829. 

Revs.  P.  Kimball  and Myers  from  1829  to  1830. 

Rev.  Josiali  Pierson,  fi-om  1830  to  1833. 

Rev.  Samuel  Marsh,  from  1833  to  1834. 

Rev.  David  Johnson,  from  1834  to  1839. 

Rev.  W.  M.  Benedict,  from  1839  to  1841. 

Rev.  Moses  Gillett,  from  1841  to  1845. 

Rev.  Truman  C.  Hill,  from  1845  to  1849. 

Rev.  William  R.  Piatt,  from  1849  to  1855. 

Rev.  J.  L  Jones,  from  1855  to  1858. 

Rev.  William  Dewey,  from  1858  to  1861. 

Rev.  John  C.  Taylor,  from  1861  to  1865. 

Rev.  John  Cunningham,  from  1865  to  1876. 

Rev.  James  Robertson,  from  1876  to  1879. 

Rev.  Emerson  G.  Wickes,  from  1879  to  1884. 

Rev.  John  Mitchell,  from  1884  to  1888. 

This  church  has  been  favored  with  repeated  revivals,  of 
which  the  following  were  the  most  marked  :  In  the  winter 
of  1835-6,  under  the  ministry  of  Rev.  D.  Johnson,  35  per- 
sons joined  on  profession  of  faith.  In  the  spring  of  1867, 
under  the  ministry  of  Rev.  John  Cunningham,  and  with  the 
assistance  of  Rev.  O.  Parker,  Evangelist,  41  persons  joined, 
of  whom  1 5  Avere  heads  of  families.  Other  similar  refresh- 
ings, resulting  in  good  fruits,  have  been  repeatedly  enjoyed. 

Very  early  in  the  history  of  the  church,  a  Sabbath  school 
was  established  in  connection  with  it,  which  has  been 
maintained  ever  since.  For  many  years  the  church  has  also 
had  its  "  Ladies'  Missionary  Society,"  which  has  supported 


298  HISTOKY    OF    ROCHESTEK    PKESBYTEKY. 

some  missionaries  and  helped  to  support  others.  It  has 
likewise  two  or  three  Young  People's  Societies,  aiming 
respectively  at  some  good  work. 

When  the  first  house  of  worship  was  put  up  is  not 
recorded,  but  the  present  church  edifice  was  built  in  1845, 
repaired  and  remodeled  in  1861,  and  repaired  again,  after  a 
fire,  in  1881.  The  parsonage  was  built  in  1835,  and 
repaired  and  improved  in  1881. 

The  ruling  elders  serve  for  a  term  of  live  ^^ears  each,  and 
those  in  office  at  the  present  time  are  Beman  B.  Koberts, 
George  H.  Way,  James  Mershon.  Charles  J.  White  and 
A.  M.  White,  elders  Way  and  Mershon  acting  as  deacons. 

Owing  to  the  gradual  extinction  of  the  purely  American 
families  and  the  influx  of  foreigners  in  this  region  of 
country,  the  numbers  and  strength  of  the  congregation 
have  declined  accordingly.  But  faithful  and  earnest  souls 
still  remain  in  it,  and  by  these  the  belief  is  fondly  cherished, 
that  this  church  which  has  been  the  object  of  so  much  self- 
denial,  fervent  zeal,  and  prayerful  interest  on  the  part  of 
those  now  gone  to  their  reward,  will  not  cease  to  exist,  not 
at  least  during  the  present  generation. 


TUSCAROKA. 


This  church  was  first  organized  in  1839,  by  Rev.  Israel 
Hammond,  as  Reformed  Dutch. 

In  the  year  1846,  it  was  re-organized  as  the  Second  Pres- 
byterian Church  of  Mount  Morris,  now  Tuscarora,  having 
the  following  members  :  Wm.  H.  Cownover,  Jacob  Petrie, 
Peter  Van  Nest,  Garrett  Cownover,  John  ]\Iichael,  Geo.  S. 
Kershaw,  Isaac  Van  Deventer,  William  Post,  Charity  Van 
Deventer,  Juliana  Dodge,  Susan  Kershaw,  Permela  Powers, 
Margaret  C.  Howell,  Ida  Post,  Ann  Conklin,  Jane  Birch, 


FHSroKV    OK    KOUIIKSTKK    I'liKSr.YTKKV.  2!)0 

Elizabeth    Van    Nest,    Catharine    Cowiiover,    Ann     Van 

Orsdall,    Sarali    Van    Auker,    Mary    Milholen,    Sarah    H. 

Cownover,  Sarah  Ann  Lashels,  Eleanor  Jlowell,  Frances  I. 

Howell,  Ketura  Davis,  Catharine  C.  Michael. 

The  following  persons  were  ordained,  elders  and  deacons  : 
Elders.     Aaron  Cownover,  Wm.  Howell,  James  Conklin, 

Stephen  Birch. 

Deacons.     Wni.   N.   Plall,   Wm.  Van    Deventer,   Aaron 

Davis. 

The  church  was  received  under  the  care  of  the  Presby- 
tery of  Ontario,  June  2d,  1846. 

From  the  time  of  the  formation  of  the  church  till  Octo- 
ber, 1851,  it  was  under  the  care  and  ministrations  of  the 
Rev.  Peter  S.  Van  Nest,  who  labors  were  abundantly 
blessed,  in  the  edification  of  the  church  and  the  salvation  of 
souls. 

During  the  ministrations  of  the  Rev.  Peter  S.  Van  Nest, 
the  relationship  of  the  church  was  changed  from  Ontario 
Presbytery  new  school,  to  AYyoming  Presbytery  old  school. 

September  2d,  1852,  the  church  issued  a  call  to  the  Rev. 
Thomas  L.  Dewing  to  become  its  pastor,  and  he  having 
accepted  the  call  was  duly  installed  Oct.  20th,  1852,  by  a 
Commission  of  Wyoming  Presbytery,  Rev.  Thomas  Aitken 
preaching  the  sermon.  Rev.  Isaac  Oakes  charging  the  pas- 
tor, and  Rev.  Mr.  Young,  the  people.  He  remained  one 
year. 

In  the  year  1852,  the  church  changed  its  name  from  the 
Second  Presbyterian  Church  of  Mount  Morris  to  the  Pres- 
byterian Church  of  Tuscarora. 

In  November,  1833,  Rev.  Washington  D.  McKinley 
commenced  his  labors  with  the  church  as  S.  S.,  and  remained 
about  eleven  years. 

During  his  ministrations,  the  church  enjoyed  a  fair 
degree  of  prosperity,  yet  no  marked  awakening  character- 
ized its  history.     Rev.  Mr.   McKinley  resigned  his  charge 


300  HISTORY    OF    K<JGHESTER    PKEStiYTERV. 

in  August,  1864,  and  was  succeeded  hy  Rev.  Robert  W. 
McCormick  in  January,  1865,  as  pastor.  He  remained  with 
the  church  till  September,  1869',  when  the  pastoral  relation 
was  dissolved. 

In  May,  1870,  the  church  of  Tuscarora  formed  a  union 
with  the  Presbyterian  Church  of  Union  Corners,  called  the 
United  Church  of  Tuscarora  and  Union  Corners.  Rev. 
William  E.  Jones  was  called  to  the  pastorate  of  the  united 
church  and  commenced  his  labors  June  26th,  1870.  He 
ministered  to  the  united  church  for  three  years. 

In  the  interim  of  vacancies,  the  church  has  had  various 
supplies  for  a  brief  period  and  in  several  instances  has 
experienced  revivals  of  more  or  less  interest,  and  of  salutary 
results. 

In  1875,  the  church  severed  its  connection  with  the  Union 
Corners  church,  and  called  to  its  pastorate  the  Rev.  Silas 
McKinney,  who  ministered  to  the  church  about  three  years, 
and  was  succeeded  by  Rev.  John  Mitchell,  January,  1880, 
who  also  ministered  for  the  term  of  three  years,  both  of 
them  S.  S.  During  Mr.  Mitchell's  term  of  service,  G.  C. 
Conklin  and  E.  Marsh  Petrie  were  ordained  elders. 

In  1883,  the  church  extended  a  call  to  the  Rev.  William 
F.  Millikan  to  become  its  pastor,  and  he  having  accepted 
the  call  was  installed  March  20th,  1 883,  by  a  commission  of 
Rochester  Presbytery.  Rev.  J.  E.  Kittredge,  D.  D.,  presided 
and  offered  the  prayer  of  installation.  Rev.  Levi  Parsons, 
D.  D.,  preached  the  sermon.  Rev,  J.  R.  Page,  D.  D., 
charged  the  pastor,  and  Rev.  John  Mitchell,  the  people. 
Mr.  Millikan  ministered  to  the  church  during  two  years, 
when  the  pastoral  relation  M^as  dissolved. 

October  18th,  1885,  an  invitation  was  extended  to  Rev. 
T.  H.  Quigley  to  minister  to  the  church.  The  invitation 
was  accepted,  and  he  is  at  present  its  stated  supply. 

Its  present  board  of  elders  consists  of  Garret  C.  Conklin, 
E.  Marsh  Petrie,  Andrew  Johnson  and  William  N.  Hall. 


HISTORY    OF    KOCHKSTER    PKKiSUVTEHV.  301 

For  the  past  few  years,  the  church  has  suffered  by  deaths 
and  removals  so  that  its  numbers  are  depleted  and  its 
financial  resources  crippled,  yet  it  has  steadily  maintained 
its  standing. 

All  or  nearly  all  its  pastors  and  stated  supplies  have 
been  instrumental  in  leading  greater  or  less  numbers  to 
Christ.  They  have  without  exception  rightly  divided  the 
word  of  truth. 

The  clnirch  has  long  maintained  a  flourishing  Sabbath 
school. 

The  house  of  worship  was  erected  in  1844,  and  has  subse- 
quently been  thoroughly  repaired  and  remodelled  about  the 
year  1870. 

Adjoining  the  church  lot,  the  society  owns  a  commodious 
parsonage. 

The  Sabbath  school  was  organized  in  February,  1846.  Its 
present  superintendent  is  Mr.  Charles  Whitenack.  The 
present  trustees  of  the  society  are  Garrett  C.  Conklin, 
Charles  Whitenack  and  E.  K.  Creveling. 


UNION  COHNEES. 


The  Presbyterian  Church  of  Union  Corners  was  organ- 
ized Aug.  21,  1825,  by  Eev.  Elihu  Mason  with  the  follow- 
ing nine  members  :  Garret  VanWagnen  and  Mary,  his 
wife,  Mrs.  Catharine  Bogart,  Mrs.  Catharine  Thompson, 
Abraliam  Thompson,  James  O'Brien  and  Nellie,  his  wife, 
James  J.  Amerman,  and  Jacob  Yan  Middlesworth.  The 
elders  who  were  then  ordained  were  Garret  Van  Wagnen, 
James  J.  Amerman  and  Dea.  Jacob  Van  Middlesworth. 

The  present  three  elders  are  Jacob  Bergen,  Andrew 
Sedan  and  Jacob  Knappenberg.  Jacob  Bergen  is  the  only 
deacon,  and  these  officers  are  not  elected  for  limited  terms. 

After  the  organization  no  further  record  appears  until 


302  HIsroilY    OF    ROCHESTER    PRESBYTERY. 

August  6th,  1828,  when  the  Rev.  Norris  Bull  received 
Catharine  Thompson,  Archibald  Ten  Eyck  and  Eliza,  his 
wife,  Philip  Thompson  and  Hannah,  his  wife,  and  Hannah 
G.  Thompson. 

Sept.  17th,  1828,  Rev.  N.  W.  Fisher,  moderator,  Philip 
Thompson  and  Ai'chibald  T.  Ten  Eyck  were  elected  elders. 

April  19,  1832,  the  following  elders  were  elected  to  the 
session :  Obed  Cravath,  Calvin  E.  Clark,  Jacob  Bergen  and 
Samuel  Comstock. 

March  5,  1834,  the  following  were  chosen  as  the  first 
trustees  :  Jabez  Hungerford,  Stephen  Trowbridge,  Samuel 
T,  Comstock,  Jacol)  Bergen,  Abraham  T.  Thompson  and 
Gilbert  Bogart. 

The  following  is  a  list  of  the  ministers  who  have  labored 
with  this  church : 

Rev.  Amos  P.  Brown,  1829-1830. 

Rev.  Ludovicus  Robbins,  1831-1832. 

Rev.  Leonard  Rodgers,  l)s33-36. 

Rev.  Leveret  Hull,  1837-40. 

Rev.  Samuel  A.  RaM'son,  1841-42. 

Rev.  Horatio  Korton,  1843-44. 

Rev.  William  Bridgeman,  1844—45. 

Rev.  William  Fithian,  1846-53. 

Rev.  Norris  Barton,  1855-56. 

Rev.  Timothy  Darling,  1857-59. 

Rev.  Robert  W.  McCormick,  1865-66. 

Rev.  Peter  S.  YanNest,  1867. 

Rev.  Willis  Clark  Gaylord,  1868-70. 

Rev.  William  E.  Jones,  1870-73. 

Rev.  James  M.  Harlow,  1874-75. 

Rev.  Silas  McKinney,  1876-77. 

Rev.  Burton  A.  Partridge,  1878-79. 

Rev.  John  Mitchell,  1879-81. 

Rev.  William  F.  Millikan,  1882-84. 

Rev.  Wilmer  McNair,  1885. 

Rev.  Timothy  H.  Qnigley,  1886. 


HISTCniY    OF    ROCnESTP:K     PRKSHYTEKY.  308 

Of  the  above  uiinisters  the  Rev.  Willis  Clark  Gaylord 
was  ordained  and  installed  as  pastor,  Oct.  6,  1868,  the 
Rev.  S.  M.  Carapbeil,  D.  D.,  of  Rochester  preaching  the 
sermon,  from  which  relation  he  was  released  April  1st, 
1870,  in  order  that  the  church  might  be  united  with  the 
church  in  Tuscarora  in  the  choice  of  a  pastor. 

Rev.  William  F.  Millikan  was  installed  pastor,  March  20, 
1883,  Rev.  Edward  Bristol,  of  Rochester,  preaching  the 
sermon,  from  which  relation  he  was  released  Jan.  1st,  1885. 
The  church  enjoyed  extensive  revivals  during  the  min- 
istries of  Rev.  L.  Hull,  Rev.  W.  C.  Gaylord  and  Rev.  B. 
A.  Partridge.  The  latter,  being  a  Methodist  minister  was 
instrumental  in  connection  with  the  revival,  in  forming  a 
Methodist  church  about  1879,  which  movement  very  much 
weakened  the  Presbyterian. 

The  present  house  of  worship  was  built  in  1835,  but  was 
never  dedicated  until  1880,  at  which  time  it  was  very  thor- 
oughly repaired. 

The  present  trustees  are  Jacob  Knappenberg,  William  J. 
Slaight  and  Sherman  Strivings. 

Jacob  Bergen  was  born  Jan.  11,  1803,  united  with  this 
church,  April  5,  1832,  elected  elder,  April  19,  1832,  and  is 
the  only  one  living,  June,  1888,  who  contributed  of  his 
substance  for  the  erection  of  said  church. 

Mrs.  Cynthia  Sedam,  a  sister  of  Jacob  Bergen,  was  born 
June  17,  1798,  and  united  with  this  church,  April  4,  1830. 
She  is  still  living  and  attends  church  occasionally. 

The  church  has  been  closed  for  about  two  years  with  but 
little  prospect  that  services  will  be  j-esumed. 

It  was  received  under  the  care  of  Presbytery  of  Ontario, 
Aug.  23,  1825,  and  followed  the  same  in  its  union  with  the 
present  Presbytery  of  Rochester,  reporting  in  1888,  twenty- 
eight  members.  This  church  is  located  in  the  town  of 
West  Sparta,  only  a  few  rods  from  the  boundary  line 
between  it  and  Mount  Morris,  and  only  two  miles  from 
Tuscarora. 


804  HI.'^Tom'    OF    ROCHESTEK    PRESliVTERY. 


VICTOE. 

The  First  Presbyterian  Church  of  Victor  was  originally 
a  Congregational  church,  organized  by  Rev.  Reuben  Par- 
mele,  who  had  previously  been  settled  in  Hinesburg,  Ver- 
mont, and  carae  to  Victor  in  1798,  The  society  was  incor- 
porated Sept.  13,  1798,  under  the  title,  "The  North 
Congregational  Society  in  Bloomfield,"  and  the  trustees 
named  in  the  act  of  incorporation  were  Jared  Boughton 
(the  original  purchaser  of  the  town  of  Victor),  Joseph 
Brace,  Jr.,  and  Thomas  Hawley.  Subsequently,  in  1811, 
the  corporate  title  was  changed  to  "  The  Northeast  Con- 
gregational Society  in  Bloomfield."  Victor  was  set  off 
from  the  town  of  Bloomfield  in  1812,  but  the  corporate 
title  of  the  church  was  not  changed  thereafter  until  1888, 
when  it  became  "  The  First  Presbyterian  Church  in  Victor." 
The  church  was  duly  constituted,  and  its  first  pastor,  Mr. 
Parmele,  was  installed  Feb.  13  and  14, 1799.  Nine  persons 
united  by  letter  to  form  the  church,  under  the  authority  of 
an  ecclesiastical  council  of  which  Rev.  Setli  Williston  was 
a  member.  The  Victor  church  is  the  fifth  oldest  church 
organization  extant  west  of  Seneca  Lake, 

Palmyra  church  organized  1793. 

Lima  church  (Presbyterian)  1795. 

Lakeville  church  (Presbyterian)  1795. 

East  Bloomfield  church  (Congregational)  1796, 

Victor  church  (Presbyterian)  Sept,  13,  1798, 

The  first  church  building  in  Victor  was  erected  by  this 
society  in  1805-6,  and  Avas  located  on  the  hill  north  of  the 
center  of  the  village,  near  the  ground  where  De  Nonville 
repulsed  the  Senecas  in  the  battle  of  July  13,  1687.  The 
present  church  building  was  erected  on  ground  near  the 
ambuscade,  and  was  dedicated  Thursday,  Jan,  24,  1833. 
The  building  has  since  been  enlarged  and  improved,  Avhile 


181 


VICTOR    PRESBYTERIAN    CHURCH. 


HISIOKV    OK    KOOHKSTKIJ     I'KK.SUVTKKV.  ■>*K> 

adjoining  the  cliurcli  on  the  east  is  a  good  parsonage  and 
pleasant  grounds. 

This  church  was  connected  with  the  "  Ontario  Associ- 
ation "  until  that  body  was  merged  in  the  Geneva  Presby- 
tery, May  5,  1813.  Subsequently,  about  181S,  it  became 
connected  with  the  "  Genesee  Consociation."  Feb.  8,  1S27, 
the  church  decided  to  become  Presbyterian,  and  the 
minority  withdrew  and  remained  a  Congregational  church. 
The  Presbyterian  branch  joined  the  "  Ontario  Presbytery  " 
at  its  meeting  in  Geneseo,  Jan.  16,  1828.  A  compromise 
and  reunion  were  effected  between  the  two  branches,  Sept. 
20,  1832,  and  subsequently  the  church  again  became  Con- 
gregational. March  8,  1858,  the  church  finally  became 
Presbyterian,  and  since  then  has  been  known  as  the  "  First 
Presbyterian  Church  in  Victor." 

The  church,  as  thus  constituted,  united  with  the  Roch- 
ester Presbytery  April  7,  1^58.  In  1871  it  was  transferred 
to  the  Presbytery  of  Geneva;  but  in  1874,  upon  its  own 
application  and  the  concurrence  of  the  Rochester  Presby- 
tery, it  was  restored  to  its  connection  with  that  body.  The 
Sabbath  school  was  organized  by  a  single  class  as  early  as 
1814.  The  Ladies'  Missionary  Society  (Home  and  Foreign) 
was  organized  in  April,  1874,  previous  to  which  time  a 
Ladies'  Aid  Society  occupied  the  field. 

The  children's  "  Lend  a  Hand  "  band  was  organized  in 
1885,  and  the  "  Sabbath  School  Missionary  Band''  in  1888. 

The  Young  People's  Sunday  Evening  Prayer-meeting 
was  re-organized  in  1885,  and  ''  The  Young  People's 
Society  of  Christian  Endeavor"  was  organized  Feb.  21, 
1887. 

The  membership  roll  of  the  church  since  organization 
aggregates  about  one  thousand.  For  many  years  the  church 
has  been  compelled  to  fight  its  way  against  the  blighting 
influence  in  the  community  of  a  Universalist  organization, 
which   has,   religiously,  been  hardly  more  than  a  rallying 


306  HISTORY    OF    ROCHESTER    PRESBYTERY. 

center  for  infidelity  and  anti-Christ,  with  their  attendant 
evils.  The  peculiar  history  and  condition  of  this  church 
could  never  be  understood,  nor  estimated  without  the  above 
statement.  But  in  all  its  peculiar  trials  God  has  been  with 
His  church.  The  great  revival  of  1799,  which  swept  over 
the  churches  in  this  region,  included  Victor.  Again  in 
1816,  when  36  were  added  to  its  communion,  and  in  1830-31, 
49  ;  in  1833-34,  54  members  ;'  in  1837,  39  ;  in  1839,  48  ;  in 
1843,  65 ;  in  1853,  26  ;  in  1868,  57 ;  in  1885-87,  134.  These 
were  all  seasons  of  precious  awakening  and  large  additions 
to  the  membership.  The  church  at  present  has  a  member- 
ship of  over  200. 

From  this  church  and  Sabbath  school  have  gone  out  into 
the  ministry  and  missionary  work  a  number  of  earnest 
workers,  among  whom  may  be  mentioned  Miss  Emeline 
Dryer,  of  Chicago,  and  Miss  Marietta  Rawson  (Mrs.  Web- 
ster), Bombay,  India;  Miss  Mary  Moore,  Rev.  Dr.  D. 
Henry  Palmer,  Rev.  Frederick  W.  Palmer,  Rev.  Clark  B. 
Gillette,  Rev.  A.  S.  Bacon,  Rev.  George  F.  Swezey  and 
Miss  Abbie  E.  Parks. 

Roll  of  Padors:  Rev.  Reuben  Parniele,  Feb.  14,  1799, 
to  May  5,  1812;  Rev.  Philander  Parmele,  1812-14;  Rev. 
Ebenezer  Raymond,  1819-25  ;  Rev.  Jabez  Spicer,  1826-27  ; 
Rev.  Daniel  Johnson,  1828-31  ;  Rev.  Richard  Kay, 
1832-35 ;  Rev.  Jairus  Wilcox,  1936-38 ;  Rev.  Charles  E. 
Furman,  1838-46  ;  Rev.  Charles  Merwin,   1846-49  ;  Rev. 

C.  Van  H.  Powell,  1850-51  ;  Rev.  Calvin  Waterbury, 
1851-55;  Rev.  Charles  C.  Carr,  1856;  Rev.  Job  Pierson, 

D.  D.,  1856-63  ;  Rev.  William  H.  Webb,  D.  D.,  1863-65; 
Rev.  Gideon  P.  Nichols,  D.  D.,  1866-69;  Rev.  Henry  T. 
Miller,  1871-73;  Rev.  Wm.  B.  Marsh,  1873-75 ;  Rev. 
Robert  Ennis,  1876-77  ;  Rev.  Thomas  E.  Babb,  1878-83 ; 
Rev.  Clarence  W.  Backus,  1884,  present  incumbent. 

Isaac  Root  was  the  first  deacon. 

Elders  in  1889:     Albert  Simonds,  D.  Henry  Osborne, 


HISTORY    OF    ROCIIKSTKR     I'RI'ISBYTKRV.  -.Ol 

Stephen  J.  Tallmadge,  Stafford  S.  Lusk,  William  A.  Hig- 
inbotliam  and  C.  Lewis  Sinionds. 

Deacons  in  1889 :  Albert  Sinionds,  D.  Henry  Osborne 
and  James  F.  Draper,  M.  D.  The  office  of  elder  and 
deacon  is  permanent. 

Board  of  Trustees  in  1889 :  Marvin  A.  Wilbur,  Orrin 
S.  Bacon,  Willis  D.  Newton,  W^illiam  B.  Osborne  and  John 
Van  Vechten. 


WEBSTER. 


"  The  town  of  Webster  was  taken  from  the  town  of  Pen- 
field." 

"  The  settlement  of  the  town  must  have  commenced  about 
the  year  1800."  The  church  was  originally  known  as  the 
church  of  North  Penfield  and  Ontario,  and  sometimes 
"  Penfield  Second  Church,"  and  "  North  Penfield."  It  M-as 
organized  August  25,  1825,  by  Rev.  Asa  Carpenter  then 
preaching  in  the  Penfield  church.  Eleven  members,  taken 
wholly  or  in  part  from  the  Penfield  church,  constituted  the 
church  at  its  organization,  being  Nathaniel  Abbott  and 
Hephzibah,  his  wife  ;  Benjamin  Ford,  and  wife  ;  Stephen 
Sherman,  and  wife  ;  John  Atwood  and  Betsey,  his  wife ; 
Mrs.  Naomi  Hughes,  and  two  others.  The  church  was 
received  by  the  Rochester  Presbytery,  September  20,  1825. 
In  1826,  it  reported  16  members;  in  1831,  109;  in  1834, 
113 ;  and  in  1847,  128.  The  first  elders  were  Benjamin 
Ford  and  John  Atwood,  the  term  of  office  being  permanent. 
At  first  worship  was  held  in  a  schoolhouse  or  private  dwell- 
ing. The  church  struggled  hard  for  an  existence  and  made 
little  progress  until  1829.  In  the  early  part  of  this  year, 
Rev.  Richard  Dunning  began  his  ministry  here,  and  was 
oi'dained  and  installed  June  3,  1830.     A  revival  followed, 


808  HISTORY    OF    ROCHESTER    PRESBYTERY. 

long  reuieuibered  as  the  barn  revival,  because  held  in  a  barn. 
August  5,  1S29,  the  first  board  of  trustees  was  elected, 
being  William  Middleton,  William  Hicks,  Nathaniel  Abbott, 
George  Mandeville,  Robert  Gregg  and  Samuel  Preston. 
The  church  was  greatly  strengthened  and  encouraged  dur- 
ing this  year.  Mr.  Dunning  was  dismissed  February  5, 
1835.  Under  his  labors  the  Holy  Spirit  was  poured  out, 
and  as  many  as  75  or  SO  united  with  the  church  upon  con- 
fession. In  support  of  Mr.  Dunning  tlie  church  were  aided 
by  the  American  Home  Missionary  Society.  Rev.  Richard 
DeForest  succeeded  Mr.  Dunning  and  remained  two  years. 
The  first  church  building  erected  in  1834,  was  occupied 
about  30  years.  December  8,  1840,  the  name  of  the  church 
was  changed  to  the  First  Presbyterian  Church  of  AVebster. 
After  Mr.  DeForest  the  church  employed  stated  supplies 
until  near  the  end  of  1840,  when  Rev.  Lemuel  Brooks  was 
called,  and  having  accepted  was  installed  January  5,  1841, 
and  continued  in  charge,  with  a  brief  interruption  on 
account  of  ill  health,  for  seven  years.  His  first  year  was 
marked  by  a  precious  revival  and  43  were  added  to  the 
church,  31  on  confession.  In  1848,  and  during  the  minis- 
try of  Rev.  Joseph  R.  Mann,  a  revival  added  22  on  confes- 
sion. January  22,  1850,  the  church  voted  to  join  the  Pres- 
bytery of  Buffalo  City,  and  was  received  by  that  body  the 
13th  of  February  following.  Rev.  Chester  Holcomb  was 
in  charge  of  the  pulpit  in  1854,  and  a  revival  followed  his 
labors,  24  being  added  on  confession.  Rev.  George 
McCartney  supplied  the  church  from  1864-70,  and  his 
labors  were  blessed  and  the  membership  increased.  Rev. 
Jonathan  Copeland  the  present  incumbent  has  ministered 
to  this  church  since  January,  1876.  While  there  have  been 
yearly  accessions,  in  1883,  there  was  an  interesting  revival 
and  26  were  added  on  confession  ;  1 1  were  received  at  the 
April  communion  in  1888.  The  church  is  at  present  in 
better  condition  than   at  any  other  period  of  its   history. 


HISTORY    OF    KOC^I^:STKK    I'RKSliY'lKliY.  .';()1> 

During  the  present  pastorate  the  building  has  been  greatly 
improved,  furnished,  and  a  good  lecture  room  fitted  up.  A 
Sabbath  school  is  regularly  maintained,  the  date  of  its 
organization  being  unknown.  There  is  also  an  active 
Ladies'  Aid  Society.  Within  the  last  two  years  have  been 
organized  a  Ladies'  Missionary  Society,  and  a  Young  Peo- 
ple's Missionary  Band,  and  a  Children's  "Earnest  "Workers" 
Missionary  Society,  all  of  which  are  doing  excellent  work. 
The  present  church  building  was  erected  in  1853,  and  cost 
about  $3,000.  In  1S54,  the  society  purchased  a  parsonage, 
which  in  1877,  was  remodeled  and  improved.  There  have 
gone  out  from  this  church  as  ministers.  Rev.  Horatio 
Abbott,  Rev.  Henry  McCartney,  Rev.  Chester  Holcomb  (a 
Missionary  to  India);  Rev.  William  S.  Holt  (Portland, 
Oregon)  found  his  wife  in  this  church,  and  they  spent  the 
lirst  years  of  their  married  life  as  missionaries  in  China. 

The  following  ministers  have  served  this  church  in  the 
order  named :  Rev.  Asa  Carpenter,  Rev.  Jabez  Spicer, 
Rev.  Richard  Dunning,  1829-31  :  Rev.  Richard  DeForest, 
two  years  ;  Rev.  Lemuel  Brooks,  1840-47 ;  Rev.  James 
McFadden,  1847 ;  Rev.  Joseph  R.  Mann,  1848 ;  Rev. 
Augustus  Hall,  1850-53;  Rev.  Chester  Holcomb,  1854-57; 
Rev.  Thomas  Bellamy,  1857-59;  Rev.  Robert  McMath, 
1861 ;  Rev.  George  McCartney,  1864-70  ;  Rev.  William  F. 
Hay  ward,  J  873-75  ;  Rev,  Jonathan  Copeland,  1876-89,  and 
still  in  charge. 


310  HISTORY    OF    ROCHESTER    PRESBYTERY. 


WHEATLAND. 

The  early  population  of  the  town  of  Wheatland,  like  that 
of  the  western  part  of  the  state  generally,  was  a  mixture  of 
New  Englanders,  Scotts  and  English.  For  several  years, 
no  house  of  worship  of  any  kind  existed  among  them  ;  but 
more  or  less  preaching  was  had  in  school-houses  and  private 
dwellings.  Of  the  several  denominations  represented,  the 
first  to  take  steps  to  organize  a  religious  society  were  the 
Presbyterians.  These  called  a  public  meeting  for  this  end, 
and  on  the  3()th  of  December,  1822,  a  church  was  duly 
organized,  under  the  name  and  title  of  "  The  First  Pres- 
byterian Society  of  Wheatland."  The  organization  was 
effected  by  a  commission  from  the  Presbytery  of  Rochester, 
and  three  months  later  the  infant  church  was  placed  under 
the  care  of  that  body. 

Those  who  were  thus  originally  constituted  into  the 
church  of  Wheatland  were  previously  members  of  the 
churches  of  Caledonia,  Riga  and  Chili,  their  number  was 
eleven,  and  their  names,  so  far  as  preserved,  are  the  follow- 
ing: Clark  Hall,  Betsey  Parker  Hall,  Samuel  B.  Graves, 
Betsy  Graves,  Fayette  Cross,  Mary  Brinsmaid,  Truman 
Smitli,  Mrs.  Mclntyre,  and  three  names  lost.     Total  11. 

The  first  deacon  named  in  the  records  was  Mr.  Clark 
Hall. 

The  first  board  of  trustees  was  composed  of  the  following 
persons:  Clark  Hall,  Abraham  Hanford,  Isaac  J.Lewis, 
Stephen  Warren  and  Ebenezer  Skinner. 

The  first  stated  minister  was  Rev.  John  Mulligan,  whose 
labors  extended  over  a  period  of  three  years  ;  the  second  was 
Rev.  William  F.  Carry,  who  preached  about  a  year;  the 
third,  Rev.  Abiel  Parmele,  who  remained  for  two  years; 
and  tlie  fourth.  Rev.  Jacob  Hart.  The  church  at  this  early 
period,  as  a  matter  of  course,  was  weak,  and   to  support 


lIlSTOliY    UK    ROOIIKSTKK    I'KESBVTEKY.  311 

these   supplies  received   aid   from   the   Home   Missionary 
Society. 

After  due  consideration,  on  the  30th  of  May,  1831,  the 
congregation  unanimously  decided  to  build  for  themselves 
a  house  of  worship.  A  suitable  lot  was  selected  in  the 
village  of  Scottsville,  for  which  the  sum  of  $200  was  paid. 
The  work  of  building  was  at  once  commenced,  and  before 
the  setting  in  of  the  following  winter  the  house  was  com- 
pleted and  dedicated  to  the  service  of  God. 

The  next  year  witnessed  another  advancing  step.  The 
society  was  organized  upon  what  was  called  the  "  Plan  of 
Union,"  but  in  the  year  1832,  it  became  fully  equipped,  as 
a  Presbyterian  church  by  the  election  of  live  ruling  elders  ; 
these  were  Isaac  J.  Lewis,  Freeman  Edson,  Daniel  Van 
Antwerp,  John  Colt  and  Philip  Garbutt.  These  were 
ordained  for  their  sacred  office  by  Rev.  Lewis  Cheesman, 
who  was  at  this  time  the  pastor  of  the  church. 

Mr.  Cheesman  began  his  labors  with  this  church  in  1831, 
but  was  not  installed  as  pastor  till  the  year  1834,  and  two 
years  later  he  resigned.  He  was  an  earnest  and  successful 
preacher,  and  won  many  souls  to  Christ,  As  the  result  of 
a  protracted  meeting  held  during  his  ministry,  more  than 
one  hundred  were  added  to  the  church  on  profession  of 
faith. 

Towards  the  close  of  Mr.  Cheesman's  ministry  differ- 
ences and  dissentions  arose  among  the  members ;  and  while 
the  church  was  in  this  disturbed  condition,  their  difficulties 
were  brought  to  a  crisis  by  the  passing  of  the  "  Exscinding 
Act,"  by  the  General  Assembly  at  Philadelphia.  In  Decem- 
ber of  that  year,  1837,  some  fifty  members,  including  three 
ruling  elders,  withdrew  from  the  church,  and  formed  them- 
selves into  a  separate  church  under  the  name  of  "  The  First 
Presbyterian  Church  of  Scottsville,"  and  attached  themselves 
to  the  Presbytery  of  Wyoming.  When  this  new  congrega- 
tion had  completed  for  themselves  a  house  of  worship,  the 


312  HISTOKY    OF    ROCHESTER    PRESUYTKRY. 

Rev.  Mr.  Clieesman  was  called  to  be  their  pastor,  who 
labored  among  them  witli  zeal  and  success  till  tlie  year  1842, 
when  he  resigned.  He  was  successively  followed  in  the 
pulpit  by  Rev.  Ricliard  Kay,  Rev.  H,  L.  Doolittle  and  Rev. 
J.  Jones,  whose  united  ministries  reached  down  to  the  year 
1859,  when,  after  a  separation  of  nearly  22  years,  the  two 
churches,  by  mutual  concessions  became  one  again. 

Returning  now  to  1837,  the  year  of  the  unhappy  division, 
we  find  the  pulpit  of  the  First  Church  of  Wheatland 
occupied  by  Rev.  Eli  S.  Hunter,  D.  D.,  whose  pastorate 
though  of  but  two  years'  duration,  served  to  add  a  goodly 
number  to  the  membership.  For  the  next  fifteen  months 
the  pulpit  was  supplied  by  Rev.  Selden  Ilaynes. 

In  the  spring  of  1841,  Rev.  Linus  W.  Billington  became 
the  pastor.  His  faithful  and  conciliatory  ministration  had 
a  happy  effect  in  uniting  and  strengthening  the  church. 
During  his  third  year  a  quiet  work  of  grace  resulted  in  the 
hopeful  conversion  of  23  souls  ;  and  during  his  entire  pastor- 
ate of  seven  years,  60  were  added  to  tlie  roll  of  communi- 
cants. 

Immediately  on  the  retirement  of  Mr.  Billington,  in  1848, 
Rev.  Milton  Buttolph  took  charge  of  tlie  church.  His  labors 
in  their  very  beginning  were  attended  with  a  gracious 
refreshing  from  the  presence  of  the  Lord,  33  souls  being 
gathered  into  the  fold  in  the  course  of  a  few  weeks,  and  these 
mostly  from  among  the  young.  During  his  whole  ministry 
of  four  years,  there  were  received  into  the  church  40  on 
profession  of  faith,  and  16  by  letter. 

In  the  spring  of  1853,  the  church  extended  a  call  to  the 
Rev.  Dugald  D.  McColl,  which  he  accepted  on  condition 
that  they  transferred  their  ecclesiastical  relation  to  the 
'•  Presbytery  of  Rocliester  City  "  (old  school).  His  ordina- 
tion and  installation  took  place,  June  21,  1853  ;  and  the 
next  year,  the  congregation  built  him  a  substantial  parson- 
age, at  an  expense  of  |2,700.     Mr  "McColl  was  a  sound  and 


HISTORY    OF   ROCHESTER    PRESBYTERY,  313 

impressive  preacher ;  in  the  course  of  his  ministry  the 
church  was  favored  with  repeated  revivals  ;  and  during  his 
entire  pastorate,  which  embraced  a  period  of  17  years, 
there  were  added  to  the  church  153  on  profession  of  faith, 
and  19  by  certificate. 

In  the  winter  of  1856,  this  church  suiiered  a  great  loss, 
their  house  of  worship  togetlier  with  its  organ  and  all  its 
furniture  being  destroyed  by  lire.  But  the  congregation, 
nothing  discouraged,  immediately  took  steps  to  rebuild,  and 
in  less  than  fifteen  months  had  another  and  a  better  house 
all  completed.  This  cost  them  about  $6,000,  and  was 
dedicated,  May  7,  1857. 

Mr.  McColl  was  dismissed  in  the  spring  of  1870,  and  was 
succeeded  in  the  fall  of  the  same  year  by  Rev.  Thomas  A. 
Weed,  who  served  the  church  acceptably  for  nearly  twelve 
years ;  during  which  period  there  were  addedto  the  church  82 
on  profession  of  faith,  and  37  by  letters  from  other  churches. 

The  next  pastor  of  the  Wheatland  church  was  Rev.» 
David  H.  Laverty,  who  began  his  labors  in  January,  1883 
and  closed  them  in  February,  1885.  The  ministry  of  Mr. 
Laverty  was  not  without  its  good  fruits,  but  he  left  the 
church  in  somewhat  of  a  divided  state,  and  a  number  of  the 
congregation  about  that  time  withdrew  and  helped  to  estab- 
lish an  Episcopal  church  in  the  village. 

After  the  dismissal  of  Mr.  Laverty,  the  pulpit  for  about 
six  months  was  supplied  by  candidates  or  such  preachers  as 
could  be  obtained  for  the  day.  Then  came  the  present 
incumbent,  Rev.  G.  B.  F.  Hallock,  who  began  to  preach  in 
August,  1885,  and  was  ordained  and  installed  the  fol- 
lowing October.  He  soon  after  had  the  gratification  of 
welcoming  to  the  communion  of  the  church  a  large  num- 
ber of  converts.  The  first  year  of  his  pastorate,  there  were 
added  52  on  confession  of  faith  ;  in  the  second  year,  17  ;  and 
in  the  third,  11.  And  the  good  work  continued  to  prosper 
in  his  hands,  till  he  resigned  his  charge,  which  took  place 
Dec.  30,  1889. 


314         HISTORY  OF  ROCHESTER  PRESBYTERY. 

A  Sabbath  school  was  organized  in  connection  with  this 
church  at  an  early  day,  but  the  precise  date  cannot  be  given. 
The  present  attendance  is  about  110.  The  "  Mission  Band" 
was  formed  in  1883;  the  "Willing  Workers,"  in  18S4  ; 
and  the  "  Society  of  Christian  Endeavor,"  in  1885. 

The  present  elders  are  D.  C.  McPherson,  Myron  Miller, 
Wilson  R.  Balleutine  and  George  V,  Halm. 

The  present  board  of  trustees  is  composed  of  Thomas 
Stoke,  John  C.  McYean,  Myron  Miller  and  George  O.  Cox. 


INOEX. 

Aitken,  Rev.  Thomas,            -           -           -           51,  71,  94, 

Page. 
289,  290 

Allen,  Rev.  Solomon,        -           -           -           -           -      33, 

135,  193 

Association,  Ontario,             .           -           .           .           . 

-       5 

Associations,  Presbyterial,          -           .           .           .           . 

62 

Auburn  Seminary,      -           -           .           . 

-     30 

Avon,           -                       ---... 

128 

"     Central,             --.... 

-  134 

"     Free  Church,          ---... 

76, 131 

"      Springs  Church,           --..-. 

59,  133 

Baker,  Rev.  John  E.,      - 

99 

Barnard,  Rev.  John,  D.  D.,             ...        19^  70^ 

178,  199 

Billington,  Rev.  Linus  W.,        - 

312 

Bissel,  Josiab,  Jr.,  his  conversion. 

-    244 

Bonney,  Rev.  Elijah,        ------ 

91 

Brighton,          --..... 

59,  135 

Broekport,              ---.--. 

138 

Brodt,  Rev.  J.  H.,      - 

80,  162 

Brooks,  Rev.  Lemuel,      -           -           -          30,  89,  151, 153, 

154,  308 

Bull,  Rev.  Norris,  D.  D.,      -           -           -           -        13,  34, 

156,  177 

Bush,  Rev.  Charles  P.,  D.  D.,    - 

29,  33 

Bushnell's  Basin,        ------ 

-    141 

Buttolph,  Rev.  Milton,              -           -           .           -           - 

87,  312 

Caledonia,        -..--.. 

-    143 

Candidates,           ---.... 

58,  116 

Carthage,         ----... 

-    245 

Catalogues,            -.--... 

35,  109 

Catechetical  Instruction,     ----- 

■    -      30 

Chapin,  Louis,      ------- 

29 

Charlotte,        ------- 

-    146 

Chih,           --.-.... 

149 

Churches  of  former  Presbytery  of  Rochester, 

-      29 

"         "  Genesee  River  Presbytery,        -           - 

57 

"         "  Ontario  Association, 

7 

"          "        Pi-esbytery,        -            -            .            . 

12,  13 

"         ''  Rochester  City  Presbytery, 

-       48 

"        present  Catalogue  of,           .           .           -           - 

119 

316  INDEX. 

Page. 
Churchville,  -  -  -  -  -  -  -     152 

Clarkson,  -------  155 

Clerks,  - 118 

Coit,  Rev.  J.  T.,  -..-..  46 

Concepcion  Church,  Chili,  S.  A.,  -  -  -  -       60 

Colleges,  graduates  from,  .  .  .  .  .  71 

Conklin,  Rev.  Luther, 77,  107 

"      OHverP.,  .  .  .  .  .  107 

Copeland,  Rev.  Jonathan,  -  -  -  -  -      98 

Corliss,  Rev.  A.  H.,        -  -  -  -  -  -  73 

Curry,  Rev.  Wm.  F.,  ------      34 

Dansville, 157 

Dansville  and  Sparta,  United  Congregation  of,  -  -     284 

Davidson,  Rev.  E.  E.,  -  -  -  -  68,  189,  260 

Deaths,  list  of,     ------  -        69-70 

DeNoon,  Rev.  Alexander,  -  -  -  -  12,  143 

Douglass,  Rev.  Alexander,      -----  82 

Dunning,  Rev.  Richard,     -----  79,  308 

Durfee,  Rev.  Charles  S.,  .  -  -  -  60,100,185 

Eddy,  Rev.  D.  R., 86 

Education,  Ministerial,  -  -  -       .    -  -  19 

Elders,  Ruling,  present  Catalogue  of,     -  -  -  -      122 

Endeavor,  Societies  of  Christian,      -  -  -  -  68 

Excision,  Act  of,       -  -         .  -  -  -  -  -        31 

Finney,  Rev.  Charles  G.,        -  -  -  28,  64,  186,  244, 259 

Fitch,  Rev.  Ebenezer,  D.  D ,         -  -  -  -  13,  176 

Fowlerville,        -  -  -  -  -  -  -        60,  163 

Freeman,  Rev.  Samuel  A.,  D.  D.,  -  -  -  100,  105 

Free  Masonry,  -  -  -  -  -  -  -    30 

Furman,  Rev.  Charles  E.,  D.  D.,  -  -  29,  74,  75,  85 

Gardner,  Rev.  Corliss  B., 104 

Gates,  --------      167 

Geneseo,  Churches  of,  .  .  -  -        4,  60,  173-189 

Gillette,  Rev.  Charles, 99 

Groveland,  ...---.  190 

Hall,  Rev.  Albert  G.,  D.  D.,         -  -  -  34,  43,  74,  253 

Hastings,  Dr.  Thomas,  -  -  -  -  -  -    27 

Henrietta,  ...----       193 

History  of  Ontario  Presbytery,        -  -  -  -  -    22 

Histories  of  Churches,        ------       128 

Honeoye  Falls,  ------  195 

Hotchkin,  Rev,  James  H.,  -  -  -  -       7,  157,  166 

Hough,  Rev.  Justus,  -  -  -  -  -  -    77 


317 


Hoyt,  Rev.  Alexander  S., 

Hunn,  Rev.  David  L., 

Hunter,  Rev.  Wm., 

Incorporation  of  Presbytery, 

Indians  at  Squakie  Hill, 

Installation,  the  first, 

James,  Rev.  Wm.,  D.  D., 

Kittridge,  Rev.  Charles, 

Lane,  Rev.  Joshua  D.,      - 

Licensures,        ----- 

Lima,  -  .  .  .  - 

Livonia,  -  -  .  -  . 

Lowrie,  Rev.  Isaac  N.,      - 

Mason,  Rev.  Elihu,     -  -  -  . 

McCartney,  Rev.  George, 

McLaren,  Rev.  Malcolm  N.,  D.  D., 

McMath,  Rev.  Robert,     - 

McNeil,  Rev.  Benjamin, 

Mendon,       ----- 

Millham,  Rev.  Wm.  H.,         - 

Ministers  present  Catalogue  of. 

Missionary  Society,  A.  B.  C.  F.  M., 

"  "         Genesee, 

"  "         Presbyterial, 

"  "         Woman's,     - 

Missionaries,  Foreign,      -      32,  55,  58,  66,  210, 

"  Visits  of,  -  -  - 

Moscow,       -.---. 
Mount  Morris  First,    -  -  -  - 

"  "        Second,      .  -  -  • 

Newspaper,  first  in  Livingston  Co., 
Nichols,  Rev.  James,        .  -  -  . 

Nunda,  -  -  .  -  - 

Oakes,  Rev.  Isaac,  .  -  -  . 

Oakland,  ----- 

Ogden,  .-...- 

Ordinations  by  Ontario  Presbytery 

"  "  Rochester        "  -  - 

"  "  "  City  Presbytery, 

Ossian,         -..--. 
Page,  Rev.  Joseph  R.,  D.  D., 
Parker,  Rev.  Joel,  D.  D., 
Parma  Centre,  .  -  .  - 


Page. 

104 

102 

71,  293 

-  68 
20.  208-209 

-  5 
34 

-  80 
78 

49,  115 
-    4,  198 


201^ 

73 

301,  208,  211,  220 

93 

29,  34.  97,  143 

74 

-  98 
-    204^7 

105 
119 

-  27 
27 

-  21 
27,  28,  65 

214,  250,  261,  292,  309 

4,  5 

208 

211-215 

215,  298 

208 

45 

59,  216 

83 

59,  220 


12-13 
44 

57-58 

224 

t,  92,  95,  137 

34,  204,  251 

226 


24,  29, 


ai8 


Patton,  Rev.  George, 102 

Pease,  Rev.  Calvin,  D.  D., 47 

Penfield,    -  -  -  -  -  -  -  49,  61,  229 

Penny,  Rev.  Joseph,  D.  D., 33 

Pierpont,  Rev.  Hezekiah  B.,    -  -  -  -  -  75 

Pierson,  Rev.  Josiah,  .-..--       33 

Piffard, 61,  233 

Pittsford, 236 

Popular  meetings,  ..-.-.  63 

Presbytery  of  Albany,         ...--.         9 

"  Bath,        ...---  10 

"  "  Grenesee  River,         .  -  -  .  50,  57 

"  "  Geneva,    -  ....  n 

"  "  Niagara,        -.-..-       10 

"  ''  Oneida,     ------  9 

"  "  Ontario,         ...  -  -  11,  55 

"  "  Rochester,  .  .  -  .  -  54 

"  "  Rochester  (former),  ...  28,  55 

City,  -  -  -  -       43,  56 

Revivals,         ........        63 

Robinson,  Rev.  Charles  E.,  D.  D.,      -  -  -  -  84 

Rochester  Brick     Church,  .  .  .  -  .      245 

Calvary        "  -----  267 

Central         " -       256 

Emmanuel  "  -  -  -  -  -      .      279 

Fifth  "      -  -  -  -  -  -      261 

First  "  -----  240 

"         Free  "      -  -        ,   -  -  -  -      254 

Memorial     " 272 

North  "      -  -  -  -  -  -       276 

"         North  State  Street  Church,  -  -  -  266 

Third  Church, 251 

"         Westminster  Church,        -  -  -  -  269 

Rush,  --------       282 

Sabbath  Schools, 32,  67 

Semi-Centennial  at  Mount  Morris,  -  -  -  -        24 

"  "  "  Rochester,  ...  -  29 

Seminaries,  Theol.,  graduates  of,  -  -  -  -        71 

Shaw,  Rev.  James  B.,  D.  D.,  -  -  -  30,  34,  71 

Slavery,  ...--.-  23-24 

Societies,  Voluntary,     -  -  -  -  -  -         25, 30 

Sparta  First  Church,  ------      287 

"       Second     -------  290 


319 


Springwater,  .  .  .  - 

Statistics,  .... 

Stewart,  David  F., 

Stockton,  Rev.  Benjainiu  B., 

Sweden,  -  .  -  -  • 

Temperance,        -  -  .  - 

Thatcher,  Rev.  Daniel, 

Treasurers,  -  .  -  . 

Trustees  of  Presbytery, 

Tuscarora,  .... 

Union  Corners,         .  .  -  - 

Victor,      .  -  -  -  - 

Ward,  Rev.  Ferdinand  DeW.,  D.  D.,      - 

"        "      George  K., 

"     Hon  Levi  A.,  - 

"Webster,  .... 

Weed,  Rev.  Thomas  A.,     - 
Western  New  Yorli,  early  history  of. 
West  Greece,  .  -  .  - 

Wheatland,        -  .  -  - 

Wickes,  Rev.  Henry, 
Williams,  Rev.  Comfort, 
Wisner,  Rev.  Wm.,  D.  D., 
Woman's  Christian  Temperance  Union, 


Puffe. 

. 

- 

292 

31,  64,  66 

84, 

144 

- 

43, 139, 

179 

296 

-   22,  23,  67, 

196 

. 

4 

- 

118 
117 

- 

•   59, 

298 

59, 

301 

- 

59, 

304 

-  29,  83, 

97,  179, 

183 

. 

81 

263 

307 

92 

.  3 

. 

49 

310 

91 

28,  33. 

,  29§ 

34, 

,246 

. 

■  67 

Statistical  Report  of  Churches. 


Connected  with  the  Presbyter}- 


Kochester,  for  the  year  endin-  Aj.ril  :S<1, 
Briek  Church,  Rochestar.  AprU  1  Itb 


CHURCHES. 


1  Centre 

)rd 

Ht«r,  First  . . 

Brick.. 

Third  . 


Memorial  . . 

North 

KmniaDiml. 

First  ......... 


223 


H 


52n|tl(U5B_ 


urches  have  houses  of  worehip,  and  all  hold  Sunday  Schools. 

Churches  receive  aid  from  the  Board  of  Home  Missions,  amounting  t( 
II  but  three  of  our  Churches— Mendon,  Rochester  Calvary  and  Em  manual —have  paid 

wentv-two  of  our  Churches  have  contributed    to  all  the  Bi      -^i      -.- 

-six  to  Sunday  School  Work,  thirty-two  to  Church  Erection 
he  Society  expenditures  for  all  the  Churches  has  been  equal 


FTTISriDS    OOaSTTiaiBXJTSID. 


Churches  h»v 
rty-tbrfe  to  the  Relief  Fund 
$13.05  per  member,  not  inti 
ur  Presbytery'  consists  of  59  ministers  and  4  Licentiates.'   Twenty-seven  are  pastors,  all  otii* 
hose  sUtistics  are  compiled  by  request  of  the  Presbytery,  April  26th,  1H»2,  by  Eldib  Looi> 


['resbyterial  Assessment  of  nine  centa  per  member, 
contributed   to  the  Home  Board,  forty  to  Foreign  MissionB.  thirty-three  to  BdoutloD, 
thirty-six  to  Precdmen,  twenty-six  to  Sustentation,  and  twenty-eight  to  College  Aid. 

ding  other  raembers  of  the  congregation. 


^l<j^ 


■^i^M^: 

DATE  DUE 

^^„„,^ 

Ni^ 

1 

G AYLORD 

PR.NTED.NUSA. 

*^^' 


jP^? 


^s 


i^'  \A 


joyed  steadily  a  vlg-orous  growth  In 

•mbership   and   missionary      activity 

Air     Stone's    assumption    of    its 

""n— years  ago.     The  pres- 

about    500.         Mr. 

•vork  other  than 


iaying  of   the  Corner  Stone 


MiftOT?i^l    p<^;^l>^jkFi^T}   &«?4^ 


COR.  HUDSON  AND  WILSON  STS., 


ROCHESXER,   IM.   Y. 


Services  at  12. -jo  d clock,  Sabbath,  Jicne  icjth,  iS()2. 


'Mk^^^^'^/iJm^J^  ^f!^r  '^^ . 


(Drbcr  of  Scrpiccs. 


Reading  of  Hymn, 


i^<"7'.  Jerome  B.  Stilhcn 


1.  All  hail  the  power  of  Jesus'  name 

Let  angels  prostrate  fall  ; 
Bring  forth  the  royal  diadem, 
And  crown  Him  Lord  of  all. 

2.  Let  every  kindred,  every  tribe. 

On  this  terrestrial  ball. 
To  Him  all  majesty  ascribe, 
And  crown  Him  Lord  of  all. 


Invocation, 


Rev.  Georcre  Patton,  D.D. 


Scripture  Reading, 
Reading  of  Hymn, 


Rev.  Alfred  J.  HuCcu 
Rev.  Hetirv  A.  Schneider 


1.  Lord  God  of  Hosts,  by  all  adored  ! 
Thy  name  we  praise  with  one  accord  ; 
The  earth  and  heavens  are  full  of  Thee, 
Thy  light,  Thy  love,  Thy  majesty. 

2.  The  holy  Church  in  every  place 
Throughout  the  world  exalts  Thy  praise 
Both  heaven  and  earth  do  worship  Thee, 
Thou  Father  of  eternity. 


REM.A.RKS, 


Charles  R.  Barber,  M.D. 


Remarks, 
Anthem, 


Rev.  Nelson  Millard,  D.D. 
Choir 


Rkmarks,         -  -  -  -  Rev.    William  R.    Taylor,  J). n. 

Rkmakks,  -  -  -  Rev.  Henry  II.  SIchlnns.D.D. 

Reading  OF  HvM.N,  -  -  -  Rev.  James  S.  Root 

1.  Christ  is  our  corner  stone, 

On  Him  alone  we  build  ; 
With  His  true  saints  above 

The  courts  of  heaven  are  filled  ; 

On  His  great  love 
Our  hopes  we  place 
Of  present  grace 
And  joys  above. 

2.  Here  may  we  gain  from  heaven 
The  grace  which  we  implore  ; 
And  may  that  grace,  once  given, 
Be  with  us  ever  more. 

Until  that  day 
When  all  the  blest 
To  endless  rest 
Are  called  away. 

Laying  the  Corner  Stone,  -  By  the  Pastor,  Charles  P.  Coit 

Prayer,  .  .  .  .  .  Rev.  Peter  Lindsay 

Reading  of  Hymn,  -  -  -  Rev.  Barton  W.  Perry 

Praise  God,  from  whom  all  blessings  flow, 
Praise  Him  all  creatures  here  below  ; 
Praise  Him  above,  ye  heavenly  host ; 
Praise  Father,  Son,  and  Holy  Ghost. 


Benediction,         ...  -  Rev.  Corliss  B.  Gardner 


^M^"^ 


